Domain reg with Celebrity name

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by googledaily.com, Sep 28, 2009.

  1. #1
    I wana register a available domain with a celebrity name..
    Is it legal?
    Will it make prb for me?
     
    googledaily.com, Sep 28, 2009 IP
  2. Pixelrage

    Pixelrage Peon

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    #2
    I think it actually is legal. There was a story about the guy who owns YTMND.com who also owned DustinDiamond.com (Screech from saved by the bell). He was sued over it by Diamond, but still won in court...he still owns the domain name.
     
    Pixelrage, Sep 28, 2009 IP
  3. Dave Zan

    Dave Zan Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Yup. Maybe, depending on the celebrity.
     
    Dave Zan, Sep 28, 2009 IP
  4. lanta99

    lanta99 Peon

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    #4
    If it's a fan site, I doubt that you will have any problems. Also, I don't really see what they have to sue about as anyone can have a celebrity's name.
     
    lanta99, Sep 28, 2009 IP
  5. Dave Zan

    Dave Zan Well-Known Member

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    #5
    If: a) the celebrity has established trademark rights to his/her name, and b)
    the owner with their domain name-sake infringes it, then the celebrity might
    sue under applicable laws and/or policies. Look up the Julia Roberts and Bruce
    Springsteen cases for examples that went both ways.
     
    Dave Zan, Sep 29, 2009 IP
  6. lanta99

    lanta99 Peon

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    #6
    Hm...That doesn't seem fair as a non-celebrity with a celebrity's name has just as much right to his/her name as the celebrity does.
     
    lanta99, Sep 30, 2009 IP
  7. browntwn

    browntwn Illustrious Member

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    #7
    Julia Roberts and Bruce Springsteen go both ways? I always had my doubts seeing the way Bruce french kissed Clarence Clemons before each concert.

    [​IMG]
    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3632375218_85b3dcbd24.jpg
     
    browntwn, Sep 30, 2009 IP
  8. Dave Zan

    Dave Zan Well-Known Member

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    #8
    Well, does it seem fair if a non-celebrity registers a celebrity's domain name to
    make money off that celebrity's name, especially if that celebrity's commercial
    success arose from his/her hard work? It's debatable who has as much "right"
    towards a domain name between the celebrity and its current registrant, but...
    there's enough decisions abound to indicate one can't use that to make money
    off that celebrity's trademark right if any.

    Of course, that's if the celebrity uses his name as a trademark. Not all of them
    do that, anyway.

    And LOL at browntwn.
     
    Dave Zan, Sep 30, 2009 IP