Website help

STRAWB

Hi
Just after london won the bid for the 2012 olympics i bought the domain name "london-olympics-2012.me.uk" I have now found a supplier for 5ft x 3ft olympic flags and bunting and gifts.
What i need is a website but do not know nothing about building one! I am sure this will be a winner but need some advice or maybe a partner if anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great.

Rex_Mundi

Although this may have seemed a good idea to you. The marketing of anything to do with the olympics is strictly regulated.

Parliament has already introduced the London Olympics Bill. This is a quote from part of that bill...............

It is expected that, in order to minimise the distribution and sale of counterfit goods (anything not licensed by them) and control outdoor advertising, LOCOG (London Organising Commitee for the Olympic Games) will set up a Brand Protection Task Force. This will comprise police, trading standards and customs and excise officers, and LOCOGS own brand protection staff.

Basically............If you are not an official part of the London games. You are not allowed to trade on the name of the games. I would be amazed if you get away with this. Likely your site will be shut down by the authorities.

If you don't want to get into too much trouble. You should look into this very carefully before you start spending too much money.

Patr100

Rex Mundi is right. Its very strictly regulated . Unless you are part of the official approved suppliers or sponsors etc. You won't be allowed to use the words "Olympics" or "2012" at all even to promote another product..

zacspeed_2

Can you copyright a year?

charlieheard

zacspeed wrote:

Can you copyright a year?

No, you can't copyright any numbers - that's why we have Pentiums and not 586, 686, etc. However, he is trading on the full name, not just the year...

intel

http://www.elimelight.co.uk/ Try these guys they might be able to help and
dont worry about the name just go for it I mean its only bully boys who run
the olympics and have they contacted you directly to say you cant use this or that.

No they havent so go for it and and well done for the idea.

Rex_Mundi

The reason there would have been no contact so far is because the London Olympics Bill is still in a draft stage and hasn't yet been passed into law. As part of the olympics bid. London is required by the IOC to do something about 'ambush marketing'. This is non-sponsored/licensed marketing by companies not connected to the olympics officially.

The web address that has been registered makes it very clear what event this relates to. If the site is going to be used to sell unofficial olympic items, you will attract the attention of the authorities. The proposed maximum fine for infringment of these advertising laws is £20,000.

It will take a few years yet for the regulatory bodies to set themselves up to police the advertising of the olympics. If I was the OP. I would wait a few years yet. See how the final bill comes out, and see how they are going to enforce these regulations. It looks like they are going to set up an alliance of police, trading standards, and customs along with the London committee for the olympics to police the advertising of the olympics. This will be a powerful force to go against.

You need to really think about this before you go out and spend £100s on a website, and £100s/£1000s on stock to sell. You will not only be risking losing this setup money. You will also be risking a court case with a maximum possible penalty of up to £20,000. This makes it worth stepping back a bit and looking into further before you spend anything.

STRAWB

Oh great did not realise any of that trust me to have a good idea then cannot use it! Story of my life.

jobbingmusician

It could still be a great idea - could you sell the domain name on to the Olympics committee???

STRAWB

Not sure what you mean and how i would go about that?

Rex_Mundi

Once again, you will have to be careful with this. What has been suggested could lead to you being accused of 'cybersquatting '. The olympics committee would not have to buy the name from you. They could just apply to the registration board for your domain and get it transferedto them for free. They may also decide to take you to court for this.

Sorry once again to put a downer on this idea, but there have been many cases in the past where ICANN or the law will favour big business over an individual who registers a domain to sell on.