Is this legal ?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by Pirates, Mar 14, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hi guys. I have a question.

    If I want to register a domain name with a name of a random person, like annasmith.com can I do it ?

    I mean, my name is not Anna Smith, but i want to register that domain. Is this legal ?
     
    Pirates, Mar 14, 2009 IP
  2. tobycoke

    tobycoke Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Yes you can, as long as the site content and the ads are not about the Anna Smith who died in February 2007.
    BTW: IANAL.
     
    tobycoke, Mar 14, 2009 IP
  3. Pirates

    Pirates Peon

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    #3
    No, that was only an example.
     
    Pirates, Mar 14, 2009 IP
  4. tobycoke

    tobycoke Well-Known Member

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    #4
    The principle is the same for any name. You can register any name but if its a famous person's name like Brad Pitt then you can't make the site about that Brad Pitt. IANAL.
     
    tobycoke, Mar 14, 2009 IP
  5. litesearch

    litesearch Active Member

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    #5
    As long as the domain is registered in good faith you will be ok, however the moment you start to try to profit from the domain on the basis of someone else's good name then you run into trouble.
     
    litesearch, Mar 14, 2009 IP
  6. Pirates

    Pirates Peon

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    #6
    And if it's not a famous person, then what ?
     
    Pirates, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  7. FightRice

    FightRice Peon

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    #7
    The same still applies. The person does not have to be famous, if all your trying to do is profit from their good name.

    For example: You can register any FirstNameLastName.com you want. Put whatever information you want about on it, but as soon as you try to profit from that domain, that person can make an ICANN claim and have the domain sent to them.
     
    FightRice, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  8. Pirates

    Pirates Peon

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    #8
    Ok, but what if there are more persons named like that ? Maybe there are 50 girls with the name Anna Smith. Who gets the domain ?
     
    Pirates, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  9. Arkidas

    Arkidas Member

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    #9
    What they are trying to tell you is that you can register AnnaSmith.com and use it as you want as long as the site isn't about one of those who bear the name ( unless you get permission from them ).
     
    Arkidas, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  10. devmishra

    devmishra Banned

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    #10
    you can register it but don't make a tic for a toe , meansthe same person name and same things about his/her without his/her permission.
    If you got permission you can use it independently , but don't forget paperwork for permissions for troublefree clearance.
     
    devmishra, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  11. remember123

    remember123 Peon

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    #11
    it will be good if u mention in your site that site is not oficial or him /her.
     
    remember123, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  12. REALLY Made IN Canada

    REALLY Made IN Canada Peon

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    #12
    If a real person exists and you do something which either taints their identity or profits from their name, they may have a legitimate claim againt you with the Internet Registrars.

    In the case of multiple same (real) names, I would imagine that "first-come-first-serve" is the rule of domain assignment.
     
    REALLY Made IN Canada, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  13. Pirates

    Pirates Peon

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    #13
    Ok, I got the idea now. Thanks.
     
    Pirates, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  14. Daniel Marshal

    Daniel Marshal Peon

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    #14
    yes u can register the domain. But if u are using a brand name of some one than it is not correct morally and legally.
     
    Daniel Marshal, Mar 15, 2009 IP
  15. maryum

    maryum Banned

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    #15
    its not a regal issue you can use any name
     
    maryum, Mar 28, 2009 IP
  16. BenjiMoore

    BenjiMoore Peon

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    #16
    It's fine to do, if it's a fansite about a celebrity, then I do believe there aren't many rules.
     
    BenjiMoore, Mar 30, 2009 IP