Please Help: Under attack by VC backed company

Talking to a lawyer. Thought I'd see what advise might come out of HN.

I've been doing business under a brand and have owned the corresponding domain since the early '90's. Yes, I've been doing business under this brand since before the Internet went public and got the domain as soon as it was possible.

The brand was used in commerce prominently until about 2005 (manufacturing and selling product as well as consulting). I had a C corporation under the same name.

Around 2005 I shutdown the C corp and focused mainly on consulting with a few clients a couple of times a year. I operated as a "dBA" under this brand.

Because of the nature of this brand it has, over the last few years become very relevant to a market segment that is growing significantly world wide. I've been waiting for the right opportunity to get get back into the game (design and manufacturing product) to advantage of the new opportunities.

A few months ago individuals contacted me about buying the domain from me. It turns out they just started a company in another country using this root name. The funny (or sad?) part is they offered me a paltry $500 for it. I told them I had zero interest in this.

Well, fast forward to today. They are now attempting to obtain a trademark in the US (I have a common law trademark spanning nearly 30 years of continuous use). If they are granted such a trademark I am sure it is their full intent to put as much pressure on me as possible to effectively steal my domain and trademark away.

These people are backed by tens of millions of dollars from venture capital firms right here in the US. From places like Menlo Park and other VC towns. I don't have the financial horsepower to fight them should they choose to inflict pain.

Is this what venture capital is about in the US now? To effectively use financial terrorism to intimidate and steal from people? I am at a loss for words.

Thoughts please.

Thank you.