Realized a problem just as I was about to purchase a domain

webmasterbeta

New Member
(I'm not a domain investor. I purchase domains to build sites.)

I was just about to finalize the purchase a domain for high $x,xxx when a few last minute checks on Google made me realize there is another domain with the exact same two words but with the word THE at the front.

Example:

Purchasing ExampleDomain.com when a site under the name TheExampleDomain.com already exists and has been trading for years.

TheExampleDomain.com registered April 2003
ExampleDomain.com registered July 2003 (the one I intend to purchase and develop)

ExampleDomain has been parked for years.
TheExampleDomain has a userbase and is a fully trading site (with credit card processing, affiliate system, incorporation, etc).

A US or UK trademark does not exist for either ExampleDomain or TheExampleDomain

My intent is to develop the ExampleDomain.com and trade in exactly the same industry.

Q: Should I skip this domain to avoid the risk of losing the domain via legal means? Or should I go ahead purchase and develop the domain?

PS. The domain I intend to purchase isn't ExampleDomain.com, just using that as an example
 
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