Name domain

[nts]

I am wondering if any legal issues would arise over the ownership of a domain name containing the name of a famous person? For example, firstnamelastname.com, just the first name and the last name, nothing else. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Sarcle]

I am wondering if any legal issues would arise over the ownership of a domain name containing the name of a famous person? For example, firstnamelastname.com, just the first name and the last name, nothing else. Thanks for any advice.

See: "Morgan Freeman win's name"

Probably not a good idea unless your name is Brad Pitt, and you don't use his likeness or sell anything related to him on your site.

 

[007]

You could legally change your name... but even then it's hard to say. If I remember correctly, Julia Roberts got her domain name from somebody who was actually named JULIA ROBERTS! That's unfair when that happens though, and I don't agree with it, but the famous people always win.

 

[Sarcle]

If I remember correctly, Julia Roberts got her domain name from somebody who was actually named JULIA ROBERTS!

I don't think that is what did it.

Old Julia Roberts.com site.

My favorite is the quote at the bottom:
"Although this site is not authorized or condoned by the actress Julia Roberts, personally I think she loves it. Because if she didn`t, I have told her attorneys that all it would take is a simple friendly phone call from her, and I would be happy to take down or put up anything she wanted on this site. So the fact that she doesn`t call means she L O V E S this site...at least that`s my opinion I like Julia very much, and this site just reflects a little satire, a little parody, a little criticism, a little news, a little adoration, but mostly I just enjoy it. I certainly have not tried or made a dime from this site: Do you see any banners or advertisements? So, the question is, "Is free speech illegal?" Does the first Amendment mean anything anymore? What if someone thought your humor was illegal?"

Before that they sold things and offered info on beach resorts. So it was "bad faith" I'm sure that brought them down.

Julia Roberts Site even earlier that same year.

 

[007]

Good research Sarcle. I guess I didn't know the HALF of it. Wow, that person was asking for a legal beat down... That changes everything. :-D

I guess I heard very very wrong. That person definitely is a good example of how NOT to run a celebrity name .com site though. Big oops on their part.

 

[Sarcle]

Good research Sarcle.

That person definitely is a good example of how NOT to run a celebrity name .com site though.

Thanks. Yeah. I like how they play the pity card, we don't even have advertisments, yet they have a link to a porn site right at the top of the page labeled julia roberts photo album. What a fool. No wonder she was pissed. :blush:

 

[Dave Zan]

Famous celebrities are entitled to domain names bearing their names. But they
have to prove certain things first.

The link below is for one celebrity who's certainly entitled to the domain name
bearing his name. But he wasn't successful in meeting certain standards:

http://gigalaw.com/articles/2001-all/hoffman-2001-10-all.html

 

[nts]

Thanks for all the advice, some interesting stories there.

 

[DomainLord]

I think you would be ok if you just parked the page and recieved PPC. If you were doing anything else I would be careful.

 

[Dave Zan]

I think you would be ok if you just parked the page and recieved PPC.

If you searched similar threads, you'll surely change that "thinking".

 

[Irena Smith]

Hi! Very relevant question.