[throwanem]

I guess it's not implausible somebody would try to open a nonadversarial conversation simultaneously with sending a C&D, but I will say I've never seen it done that way, and I suspect there's a good reason why not.

(Not least because escalating something to counsel, and then having side conversations about it with whoever you just brought to counsel's attention, is a bad idea!)

And that's if they see something here they might want to investigate further, which given SO's stance on ML-generated answers up to this point, I tend somewhat to doubt.

[nkozyra]

To be fair, I don't think the two things would happen concurrently.

I have, in fact, seen this exact scenario!

I don't think it's likely, but losing a domain is a small price to pay if that were potentially a goal.

[throwanem]

Sure, it makes sense to start with the friendly conversation and escalate to a C&D if that proves to be needed.

Deliberately infringing someone's trademark with a domain name seems to me like a dicey way to look for attention, though. But hey, "it's a bold strategy, Cotton, let's see if it pays off for 'em."

[nkozyra]

I hear that. But I don't think there was malice intended here. That won't stop a C&D, but it is more likely to keep the conversation open.