Mobile app version of vmapp.org
Login or Join
YK1175434

: Can I use the words Python, Ruby, or Perl in a domain name? I was wondering, can I use any of the following words in a commercial domain relating to that specific industry? www.xxxxxPython.com

@YK1175434

Posted in: #Copyright #Domains #Legal #Trademark

I was wondering, can I use any of the following words in a commercial domain relating to that specific industry?
xxxxxPython.com
Python doesn't seem to be trademarked as this word and also there seems to be other websites using it in their name.
xxxxxPerl.com
This seems copyrighted and almost certainly not likely.
xxxxxRuby.com
Ruby is sometimes called Ruby on Rails. Again it seems to be used on other commercial sites, but that doesn't mean it is OK to use.

My question is, am I going to be alright to run a commercial site using any of these domains, or is having these words in my domain ultimately going to cause me issues?

10.01% popularity Vote Up Vote Down


Login to follow query

More posts by @YK1175434

1 Comments

Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best

 

@Nimeshi995

Short answer: Yes

Long answer: Copyrights protect works, and trademarks protect marks (i.e., a recognizable sign, design or expression which identifies products or services), so trademarks are what you should be concerned with when registering domains.

Since they're so widely used, the names of programming languages are typically in the public domain, unless developed as a proprietary language and trademarked (e.g., Microsoft's Visual Basic),

Although trademarks containing these names might be filed for specific products or services, that doesn't preclude using them in a domain name for other products or services, especially if they're not confusingly similar to other marks.

For example, "Perl" is trademarked in the U.S. by The Perl Foundation as:


Computer software for use in cross-platform software application,
software component and website development; computer software for use
in developing, analyzing, coding, checking and controlling other
computer software; and computer software that implements a procedural
and object-oriented programming language.


Providing that you do not utilize a domain that's named similarly to "Perl" for the same purpose as above in the U.S. (or other countries where it's trademarked), then The Perl Foundation would not be able to demonstrate that you're infringing upon their mark.

To wit, Perl.com which discusses the uses of Perl, is registered by another party, and so is StrawberryPerl.com. Both Python.com and Ruby.com are not associated with their respective programming language either.

In summary: Just make sure that your domain names are not confusingly similar to trademarks and the products or services they're registered for, in the country in which they're registered, and you should be fine. If you have any other concerns, contact a lawyer who specializes in patent & trademark law.

10% popularity Vote Up Vote Down


Back to top | Use Dark Theme