You should be fine. See nissan.com as an example. You aren't a domain squatter and even they barely have issues.
To add to this: Mr. Nissan passed away in 2020 and yet the site is still up.
Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
21–30 of 95 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#22You have a legitimate use case and are using it in good faith. I can't imagine any scenario where someone would have any success in taking it away from you against your will unless you made a mistake in letting the registration lapse or something. Make sure you've got auto renewal set up, with a reputable registrar.
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#23You might want to consider registering a trademark on that name if at all possible. Even if you can't register the 5 letter name itself, register something else like "iname widget". it should bolster your defence if it ever came to it.
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#24There is case law with WIPO on this issue which is in your favor, see https://swanturton.com/armani-v-ar-mani/
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#25> I already know of two companies in different countries which have the very same name as I occasionally receive emails written to them on my catch-all email address If they ever decide to do business in your country, expect them to want their name. They will probably take you and your registrar to court, but in the end, they will have to pay you for the name. Domains don't cost a lot, but I would just take what they…
‘Their name’
If it’s your family name, what can they do but bleed you in legal costs? It depends on the country maybe, but I would not part with that domain in my country if it’s my family name and registered ages ago (clearly not to try to blackmail that company). Not sure anyone should.
Horrible advice.
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#26See also https://gail.com/
There is a legit public sector company (huge one) in India with that very name GAIL. It uses
Gas Authority of India Limited, USD $12Bn annual revenue.
(IL and CL are very common in company names here that originated as initialisms. Something India Limited or Something Corporation Limited. E.g. HPCL, BPCL, CRISIL, etc)
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#27I would like to ask the inverse of this question; a company is squatting the domain that is the same as mylastname.com. They just redirect to their main site when you visit this address. How can I get a hold of this domain?
Offer them enough money to let it go.
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#28It's your last name, they cannot force it off you. I'm not a lawyer, but worked for a company which tried.
Exactly. Same here.
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#29The domain is yours for now and that cannot be changed easily.
By far the most likely outcome is that a company that is interested in your domain will offer to buy it from you for a nice sum. You are free to reject their offer.
They may decide to sue you but you have a good standing because it is your last name. Relax.
Re: Ask HN: How to prevent a company from taking my domain name?
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your advice in how to protect their domain name is be willing to sell it and don’t bother putting up a fight…?
When it comes to registered trademarks, yes. I can't call myself Coke or Pepsi either. Don't confront them to offer them anything, let them come to you.
If your name is John Pepper and you happen to be a doctor, you can certainly call yourself Dr Pepper.