Can I use a .com which has been registered already as a .co.uk

I have a dilemma concerning a .com domain I bought a month ago. For now let's call it somethinginternet.com. I was planning to start my own small reseller hosting/domain business only to find that such a business already exists at somethinginternet.co.uk.

I am really pleased with my domain, and had no idea at all that the name was in use until after I bought it. I find it extremely odd that a seemingly respectable UK hosting company (I estimate they receive at least 500 hits a day), would not bother to register their .com name.

Am I entitled to go ahead and use it anyway - or would I have legal issues to deal with if I did so?

If it would be unwise to proceed with using the domain, what would be my other options?

yes, you can. As long as no one has taken that name yet in .com

yes, you are. you had the .com domain first, and that's the only thing that matters. there will only be legal issues if the "somethinginternet" name is trademarked.

I think you could go ahead with the domain. Just check to make sure that the name isn't trademarked. Or, if you really want to be safe, just contact the webmasters of the .co.uk domain and ask permission.

This is quite normal. People register the domains they need, and a .co.uk says it all - a UK company. There is no reason for them to pay for a service they do not need.

You'll be OK as long as it isn't a trademark. You're better off speaking to your legal team.