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The typo-squatter running "stackexchage.com" (note: no "n") puts the name "StackExchange" (WITH the "n") in a couple prominent places on their website. Are they violating Jeff and Joel's copyright/trademark/other intellectual property?

Here's a screenshot so that you don't have to visit their URL, artifically increasing its perceived value:

stackexchage.com

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    or stackxchange.com?
    – YOU
    Apr 4, 2011 at 3:07
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    I bet they didn't even pay for that stock art.
    – user27414
    Apr 4, 2011 at 3:10
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    Of course, that cheesy stuff is available on all the free sites. Good point reminding everyone not to visit the site and encourage this crap. +1 for that.
    – jmort253
    Apr 4, 2011 at 4:12
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    From their "about us" page: "We've taken the confusion out of searching online, allowing you to find what you want in a timely manner"... riiight.
    – VonC
    Apr 4, 2011 at 5:35
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    As far as I can tell, this is just a placeholder. The image-links are leading down to this: smartname.com/smartname
    – Time Traveling Bobby
    Apr 4, 2011 at 7:05

1 Answer 1

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Their use of the "Stack Exchange" trademark is blatant trademark infringement since they're using an identical mark for Internet services. SE could initiate UDRP proceedings against whoever owns the parked domain.

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  • Yeah that top left logo is certainly trademark infringement (assuming SE has the relevant trademarks...you guys do, right?)
    – Ben Brocka
    Dec 19, 2012 at 17:48
  • @BenBrocka: I don't think SE even needs a registered trademark for UDRP purposes, only if they actually intend to sue.
    – Mechanical snail
    Dec 19, 2012 at 17:50
  • I find it interesting that the UDRP rules suggest that the act has to have been done in "bad faith." Trademark holders deserve protection regardless of the squatter's motivations.
    – user102937
    Dec 19, 2012 at 17:56
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    @RobertHarvey probably to reinforce protections like Parody; an identifiable parody does no harm as no one should be confused; typosquatting to drive advertising revenue is abusing confused users for profit
    – Ben Brocka
    Dec 19, 2012 at 18:00

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