₦airaland Forum

styles2009:
Meet or look for a lawyer in the US to take the case to court and ask for $300Million for the domain transfer to them for life,even if they agree to pay 10% and you settle all legal fees,I see no way you would not get $2Million.
Its either they agree to buy the domain name at a price you want or stop all these e-harassment.

Lol and if he loose?

He will pay $100,000 for trademark infringement
About 29 million naira

Mumu too plenty for Nigeria. This one just dey find traffic.

Tchew which kind yeye name be facekobo? Vry soon nw we go dy hear faceboko.

I don dey fear ooo Abeg how can I register my logo and name and icon as an intellectual property

Chibenze:
Sure. Provided i have an answer to your questions...

thanks bro,gone through your post,and got to know about the thread! Literally everything i wanna know is there! Will ask if i need to know any other thing though(on the thread)

Lol. Empty site looking for traffic, wey em no go get. Oshi odaa n'le kpako!

dinggle:
Facebook Claims Infringement Over Nigerian Site Facekobo.com [case #486923]

For the 2nd time in less than a year Facebook is attempting to bulldoze me from fear of competition, FaceKobo was formed with our local KOBO, unit of Naira. Initially Facebook had claimed that I built Facekobo like Facebook, adopting its colors, since that didn't fly, they are coming for the name, the first thing that comes to my mind is 'who the hell do they think they are'...??......While contacted Nigerian lawyers home and abroad were easily intimidated by the name FACEBOOK, my Jewish lawyer asked me to ignore their rant...saying "Facebook knows what to do" if they consider me a threat, back then Facekobo was ranked 1.4 million today at 260,000 they R back...........what do you advise?

---

To Whom It May Concern,

We are writing concerning your registration and use of the domain name [url]facekobo.com[/url], which contains the famous Facebook trademark.

As you undoubtedly know, Facebook is the leading online social network service. Facebook adopted the name and trademark Facebook in February 2004 and, since that time, Facebook has actively used the Facebook name and trademark in connection with its online social network service, including maintaining the web site www.Facebook.com. The term Facebook is one of the most famous trademarks on the Internet. Facebook owns exclusive trademark rights to the Facebook name as a result of numerous trademark registrations in the United States and internationally, as well as related common law rights. Accordingly, Facebook enjoys broad trademark rights in its name.

Facebook has made a substantial investment in developing and providing its services. As a result of Facebook’s pioneering efforts and devoting substantial effort and resources to providing only high quality services, the Facebook name and trademarks are widely known among the consuming public worldwide, and the name and trademarks embody substantial and valuable goodwill.

Accordingly, we were concerned when we learned of your registration and use of facekobo.com. As we hope you can appreciate, protection of its trademarks is very important to Facebook. Your registration and use of facekobo.com violates the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.) because it infringes and dilutes the famous Facebook trademark.

Infringement occurs when a third party’s use of a company’s trademark (or a confusingly similar variation thereof) is likely to confuse consumers as to the affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement of the third party’s services. Trademark dilution occurs when a third party’s use of a variation of a company’s trademark is likely to lessen the distinctiveness of the company’s famous trademark.

We have filed several proceedings before the United Nation's World Intellectual Property Organization's arbitration panel. Facebook has prevailed in each case and the domain names at issue were all ordered to be transferred to Facebook. Facebook is concerned that your unauthorized use of the Facebook name may cause confusion as to whether you or your company’s activities are authorized, endorsed or sponsored by Facebook when, in fact, they are not.

We understand that you may have registered facekobo.com without full knowledge of the law in this area. However, Facebook is concerned about your use of the Facebook trademark in your domain name. As you may know, the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act provides for serious penalties (up to $100,000 per domain name) against persons who, without authorization, use, sell, or offer for sale a domain name that infringes another’s trademark.

While Facebook respects your right of expression and your desire to conduct business on the Internet, Facebook must enforce its own rights in order to protect its valuable and famous trademark. For these reasons, and to avoid consumer confusion, Facebook must insist that you immediately stop using facekobo.com and disable any site available at that address. You should not sell, offer to sell, or transfer the domain name to a third party and should let the domain registration expire.

Please confirm in writing that you will agree to resolve this matter as requested. If we do not receive confirmation from you that you will comply with our request, we will have no choice but to pursue all available remedies against you.

Sincerely,

Ethel

Legal Dept.
Facebook, Inc

Dude forget about it
Drop the name, I worked with verizon few years ago they are always getting sued by customers, but my manager always laugh we have a very brilliant legal team.

I can bet Facebook have a very brilliant legal team and there is no point at the end you will loose money and you might even end up paying them.
Lawyers can tell you anything now at the end he will get paid and make a name for himself and you will have to pay him and probably pay facebook you ll be the biggest looser.

Chibenze:
Lol and if he loose?

He will pay $100,000 for trademark infringement
About 29 million naira

Hahaha. He'd have to sell his local government area in order to raise that money. He obviously can't afford a web designer but wants to go toe-to-toe with Facebook.

styles2009:
Meet or look for a lawyer in the US to take the case to court and ask for $300Million for the domain transfer to them for life,even if they agree to pay 10% and you settle all legal fees,I see no way you would not get $2Million.
Its either they agree to buy the domain name at a price you want or stop all these e-harassment.

$300 million for the domain of OP's shitty website?! You're fucking delusional.

First of all, facebook inc. has a trademark for facebook as a combined word.
Secondly facebook as a trademark is quite a distinct name from facekobo. Let me give you an example. Naira as a currency is not permited to be trademarked by law but Nairaland is and so is nairabet, naijarule, naijareigns, naij and so on.
What you have is only a variation of domain name.
If I were you I will not give up on such a case. Facebook has got nothing to prove, that is why they are patiently waiting for you to pull down the site by yourself.
Believe you me, if not your site would have been down on arrival, a case of this status is quite a very interesting one especially if you were based in the United states. If well managed by you, it may be a good platform for your future business.

My advice: Don't be a coward. At least wait patiently and see where the road leads.

Noel1:
First of all, facebook inc. has a trademark for facebook as a combined word.
Secondly facebook as a trademark is quite a distinct name from facekobo. Let me give you an example. Naira as a currency is not permited to be trademarked by law but Nairaland is and so is nairabet, naijarule, naijareigns, naij and so on.
What you have is only a variation of domain name.
If I were you I will not give up on such a case. Facebook has got nothing to prove, that is why they are patiently waiting for you to pull down the site by yourself.
Believe you me, if not your site would have been down on arrival, a case of this status is quite a very interesting one especially if you were based in the United states. If well managed by you, it may be a good platform for your future business.

My advice: Don't be a coward. At least wait patiently and see where the road leads.

Big ups to you bro it seems you are one of the very few that understand the whole scenario.
I can't believe the level of ignorance being displayed by commenters on this thread. As if Facebook now owns the rights to KOBO

xxxtedyxxx:
Op is high on cold Poo poo poo. Facekobo kobo koh face cowrie ni.. There is nothing on your site to even make zukerberg move. If u need publicity say so, not this man- don't come here and say facebook is in a competition with u.

the yeye man is trying to drive traffic to the clueless site... wetin concern facebook with him?

Nigerians and copy copy. OP must you put "face" there, can't you find another name. That is how they went and copied Hollywood and named their own Nollywood.

xxxtedyxxx:
Op is high on cold Poo poo poo. Facekobo kobo koh face cowrie ni.. There is nothing on your site to even make zukerberg move. If u need publicity say so, not this man- don't come here and say facebook is in a competition with u.

when u go get sense sef...mtcheeeww

At times, i wonder why Nigerians are not innovative, why we are not creative. We love been copy cat. Trying to make a name through the sweat of others. Is there anything wrong in adopting a different name, and also building on that name, thereby making such name very popular, just like Facebook. Do onto others what you want others to do onto you. Take note.

Calm Down Bro.

You are about to hit it big time!

Start thinking in Billions of naira.

They will offer to buy your site soon.

Baba God, still picking calls....

dinggle:
Facebook Claims Infringement Over Nigerian Site Facekobo.com [case #486923]

For the 2nd time in less than a year Facebook is attempting to bulldoze me from fear of competition, FaceKobo was formed with our local KOBO, unit of Naira. Initially Facebook had claimed that I built Facekobo like Facebook, adopting its colors, since that didn't fly, they are coming for the name, the first thing that comes to my mind is 'who the hell do they think they are'...??......While contacted Nigerian lawyers home and abroad were easily intimidated by the name FACEBOOK, my Jewish lawyer asked me to ignore their rant...saying "Facebook knows what to do" if they consider me a threat, back then Facekobo was ranked 1.4 million today at 260,000 they R back...........what do you advise?

---

To Whom It May Concern,

We are writing concerning your registration and use of the domain name [url]facekobo.com[/url], which contains the famous Facebook trademark.

As you undoubtedly know, Facebook is the leading online social network service. Facebook adopted the name and trademark Facebook in February 2004 and, since that time, Facebook has actively used the Facebook name and trademark in connection with its online social network service, including maintaining the web site www.Facebook.com. The term Facebook is one of the most famous trademarks on the Internet. Facebook owns exclusive trademark rights to the Facebook name as a result of numerous trademark registrations in the United States and internationally, as well as related common law rights. Accordingly, Facebook enjoys broad trademark rights in its name.

Facebook has made a substantial investment in developing and providing its services. As a result of Facebook’s pioneering efforts and devoting substantial effort and resources to providing only high quality services, the Facebook name and trademarks are widely known among the consuming public worldwide, and the name and trademarks embody substantial and valuable goodwill.

Accordingly, we were concerned when we learned of your registration and use of facekobo.com. As we hope you can appreciate, protection of its trademarks is very important to Facebook. Your registration and use of facekobo.com violates the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.) because it infringes and dilutes the famous Facebook trademark.

Infringement occurs when a third party’s use of a company’s trademark (or a confusingly similar variation thereof) is likely to confuse consumers as to the affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement of the third party’s services. Trademark dilution occurs when a third party’s use of a variation of a company’s trademark is likely to lessen the distinctiveness of the company’s famous trademark.

We have filed several proceedings before the United Nation's World Intellectual Property Organization's arbitration panel. Facebook has prevailed in each case and the domain names at issue were all ordered to be transferred to Facebook. Facebook is concerned that your unauthorized use of the Facebook name may cause confusion as to whether you or your company’s activities are authorized, endorsed or sponsored by Facebook when, in fact, they are not.

We understand that you may have registered facekobo.com without full knowledge of the law in this area. However, Facebook is concerned about your use of the Facebook trademark in your domain name. As you may know, the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act provides for serious penalties (up to $100,000 per domain name) against persons who, without authorization, use, sell, or offer for sale a domain name that infringes another’s trademark.

While Facebook respects your right of expression and your desire to conduct business on the Internet, Facebook must enforce its own rights in order to protect its valuable and famous trademark. For these reasons, and to avoid consumer confusion, Facebook must insist that you immediately stop using facekobo.com and disable any site available at that address. You should not sell, offer to sell, or transfer the domain name to a third party and should let the domain registration expire.

Please confirm in writing that you will agree to resolve this matter as requested. If we do not receive confirmation from you that you will comply with our request, we will have no choice but to pursue all available remedies against you.

Sincerely,

Ethel

Legal Dept.
Facebook, Inc

Facebook trying to bully you.you have to stand your grounds.they want your domain.I guess they have something in stock and need your domain.

Somebody should check whether the domain FACEBOKO.COM.... is still available for use, because I think I need the site badly.

radiokilla:
I don't think Facebook can win this battle because they only have the trademark of Facebook and not face or book. if they had the power, believe you me op's site would have been down long ago.

But remember the test for trademark infringement is likelihood of confusion not possibility of confusion. Face kobo and face book sound very similar. Facebook also has a lot of goodwill and the average judge will think the OP is trying to take advantage of the goodwill. If the OP uses express disclaimers on his website saying it is in no way affiliated with Facebook then he might stand a better chance.

Although the first thought I had when I saw the post was that it was the work of copyright trolls.

I just checked the site. I can't see any reason why they should feel intimidated. The war between Cocacola and big Cola clearly comes to mind. Cocacola lost out at the end of the day. To me, Facebook has no point here. Get a good lawyer. They can go to hell for all I care. They will end up giving you more popularity.

Nellybii:
And what is the name of your own website Mr pull him down. Typical African Slave mentality.
Why can't Facebook be in competition with him?
Kudos to the guy He should be a source of inspiration to jobless political thugs like you.Mr xxxxx

I wouldn't commented if not for the magnitude of your stupidity. If you don't know the laws of trademark infringement, why not keep quiet or at least use the Internet to school your dead brain.

Besides, it takes just $1500 for facebook, which they can easily recoup within 1 minute, to get that domain, while the OP gets NOTHING. If he thinks he can get a dime from facebook, he is dreaming.

CoCoLav:
But remember the test for trademark infringement is likelihood of confusion not possibility of confusion. Face kobo and face book sound very similar. Facebook also has a lot of goodwill and the average judge will think the OP is trying to take advantage of the goodwill. If the OP uses express disclaimers on his website saying it is in no way affiliated with Facebook then he might stand a better chance.

Although the first thought I had when I saw the post was that it was the work of copyright trolls.

Isn't it shocking to see the level ignorance among Nigerians and those cheering the OP on? With WIPO, facebook can file for UDRP and get that domain name. It will only cost them $1500 or $2000 to get that done, which they will surely win. The panel of judges would tell the registrar of the domain to transfer it to facebook.

Simples

from my observation, facebook is not interested in the domain name. Their interest is discrediting their platform in your write up and your site is using same concept.telling visitors that your site is alternative to facebook means you are discrediting their platform for yours. You also add facebook in your write up and that is their trade mark which they are trying to protect since you discredit them so that visitors will leave their platform to join yours. Facekobo and facebook are two different name so they are not interested in your domain. Their interest is protecting their trademark which you abused in your write up. There are lots of domain names that has the word face or book in it.


Just like glo saying their sim is alternative to mtn,mtn can sue them for copyright infringement.

2sexynet:
Isn't it shocking to see the level ignorance among Nigerians and those cheering the OP on? With WIPO, facebook can file for UDRP and get that domain name. It will only cost them $1500 or $2000 to get that done, which they will surely win. The panel of judges would tell the registrar of the domain to transfer it to facebook.

Simples

Don't mind them. They've seen where to hammer sharply from.

OP, Off all the names in this whole world, you could not create something original? Why are we so bent in doing the wrong thing all the time? You know very sure that you connived the domain name to mimick Facebook so that someone can mistakenly find your domain with any slightest mistake. Kobo is the same world with book the only thing is that you rearranged the laters. I'm not saying that Facebook has a case in this place. But why insulting your intelligent?

Noel1:
First of all, facebook inc. has a trademark for facebook as a combined word.
Secondly facebook as a trademark is quite a distinct name from facekobo. Let me give you an example. Naira as a currency is not permited to be trademarked by law but Nairaland is and so is nairabet, naijarule, naijareigns, naij and so on.
What you have is only a variation of domain name.
If I were you I will not give up on such a case. Facebook has got nothing to prove, that is why they are patiently waiting for you to pull down the site by yourself.
Believe you me, if not your site would have been down on arrival, a case of this status is quite a very interesting one especially if you were based in the United states. If well managed by you, it may be a good platform for your future business.

My advice: Don't be a coward. At least wait patiently and see where the road leads.

Bros, you have a point but many have lost such domains with characteristics of the scenarios you mentioned. You may have to look into WIPO and UDRP to understand how this is done.

Trust me, they can get that domain name and OP will do nada about it.

echodrum:
OP, Off all the names in this whole world, you could not create something original? Why are we so bent in doing the wrong thing all the time? You know very sure that you connived the domain name to mimick Facebook so that someone can mistakenly find your domain with any slightest mistake. Kobo is the same world with book the only thing is that you rearranged the laters. I'm not saying that Facebook has a case in this place. But why insulting your intelligent?

the embolden is another angle where the panel could come in and tell him to transfer the domain name to facebook.

2sexynet:
the embolden is another angle where the panel could come in and tell him to transfer the domain name to facebook.

Exactly! If the courts do not allow homonyms of trademarks, I don't see how they would allow re-arrangement of letters. OP I honestly do not think you have a case.

i hope facebook will not try to yank off my website --www. faceboob.com

javijabor1:
You need to find out 1st if Facebook trademarked the name.
It's similar to Microsoft no one can use any domain containing Microsoft or you will be sued.

If they did trademark Facebook my brother let the name go. I hope your lawyer knows his job properly or else you could be be the one to pay Facebook.

Don't let people deceive you.
You also need to do a lot of digging.
Try to ask questions about the domain on namepros.com it's a forum for domains related issues only.
Goodluck.

is people like you that sell is birthright for token change.

u need publicity?

dinggle:
Facebook Claims Infringement Over Nigerian Site Facekobo.com [case #486923]

For the 2nd time in less than a year Facebook is attempting to bulldoze me from fear of competition, FaceKobo was formed with our local KOBO, unit of Naira. Initially Facebook had claimed that I built Facekobo like Facebook, adopting its colors, since that didn't fly, they are coming for the name, the first thing that comes to my mind is 'who the hell do they think they are'...??......While contacted Nigerian lawyers home and abroad were easily intimidated by the name FACEBOOK, my Jewish lawyer asked me to ignore their rant...saying "Facebook knows what to do" if they consider me a threat, back then Facekobo was ranked 1.4 million today at 260,000 they R back...........what do you advise?

---

To Whom It May Concern,

We are writing concerning your registration and use of the domain name [url]facekobo.com[/url], which contains the famous Facebook trademark.

As you undoubtedly know, Facebook is the leading online social network service. Facebook adopted the name and trademark Facebook in February 2004 and, since that time, Facebook has actively used the Facebook name and trademark in connection with its online social network service, including maintaining the web site www.Facebook.com. The term Facebook is one of the most famous trademarks on the Internet. Facebook owns exclusive trademark rights to the Facebook name as a result of numerous trademark registrations in the United States and internationally, as well as related common law rights. Accordingly, Facebook enjoys broad trademark rights in its name.

Facebook has made a substantial investment in developing and providing its services. As a result of Facebook’s pioneering efforts and devoting substantial effort and resources to providing only high quality services, the Facebook name and trademarks are widely known among the consuming public worldwide, and the name and trademarks embody substantial and valuable goodwill.

Accordingly, we were concerned when we learned of your registration and use of facekobo.com. As we hope you can appreciate, protection of its trademarks is very important to Facebook. Your registration and use of facekobo.com violates the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.) because it infringes and dilutes the famous Facebook trademark.

Infringement occurs when a third party’s use of a company’s trademark (or a confusingly similar variation thereof) is likely to confuse consumers as to the affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement of the third party’s services. Trademark dilution occurs when a third party’s use of a variation of a company’s trademark is likely to lessen the distinctiveness of the company’s famous trademark.

We have filed several proceedings before the United Nation's World Intellectual Property Organization's arbitration panel. Facebook has prevailed in each case and the domain names at issue were all ordered to be transferred to Facebook. Facebook is concerned that your unauthorized use of the Facebook name may cause confusion as to whether you or your company’s activities are authorized, endorsed or sponsored by Facebook when, in fact, they are not.

We understand that you may have registered facekobo.com without full knowledge of the law in this area. However, Facebook is concerned about your use of the Facebook trademark in your domain name. As you may know, the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act provides for serious penalties (up to $100,000 per domain name) against persons who, without authorization, use, sell, or offer for sale a domain name that infringes another’s trademark.

While Facebook respects your right of expression and your desire to conduct business on the Internet, Facebook must enforce its own rights in order to protect its valuable and famous trademark. For these reasons, and to avoid consumer confusion, Facebook must insist that you immediately stop using facekobo.com and disable any site available at that address. You should not sell, offer to sell, or transfer the domain name to a third party and should let the domain registration expire.

Please confirm in writing that you will agree to resolve this matter as requested. If we do not receive confirmation from you that you will comply with our request, we will have no choice but to pursue all available remedies against you.

Sincerely,

Ethel

Legal Dept.
Facebook, Inc

guy if i sabi ur name, i 4 call u 3 tyms pull ur ear join. if u lyk urself, jejely do wetin dem tell u because if dem come 4 u, u go carry nose smell 1 paint bucket of ata gungun. Oyibo no b lyk 9ja pple o! dem get no joy or chill @ all 4 mata lyk dis. D fact b say u dey dilute dem intellectual property & dem no go free u because if dem do am, oda pple go follow ur foot steps & threaten their brand. on ur own, u r harmless bt imagine if dere r 1 million oda pple lyk u... E sure me say d lawyer wey u get no go reach their own.