Subdomains in web communities

Not sure it's the right place to post, but I'll try.

What issues can arise if people take names that are not their own in communities, ie myspace.

Obviously if there are no agreements between the two, and if both want the same, etc.

In other words, in what does it differ from the ordinary domain regime?

Is it down to the community rules or not?

Thank you!

 

It depends what they are doing with "the name". If someone took Astaroth Solutions and said they were a web development company on My Space then they would be breaching our intellectual property rights. If someone registered the name Dan then I have no rights over my name so its just first come first served

 

In a world brimming over now with 'intellectual property' claims, the primary question is usually one of 'fair use' -
Remember the Nissan case ?

 

Yup, Nissan (car company) appeared to lose. Since the guy still owns the site.

 

So could I call myself Bill Gates on Myspace and talk about everything except OS?

Could I still express myself freely?

Make politically explicit statements?

Things like that?

More than on a professional level, I am thinking on a personal one, which is basically what many of these communities are about.

 

You have to remember that no law stands on it's own, it stands alongside the whole body of Law.

So the simple answer to your question... can I call myself Bill Gates..

If Bill Gates has been a pseudo name that you have used for periods without ever trying to imply that you are THEE bill gates (thereby, at the very least, violating identity theft laws or falsely impersonating another person) then the simple answer would probably be a yes.

Calling yourself Bill Gates and denouncing Microsoft could also be acceptable in certain instances as it could fall under at least the defence of satire.

 

Thank you!

It totally makes sense!

 

If you are using this name (that is not yours) in order to con/scam people into believing that you are the real bill gates and getting services from it, you would be in real trouble.

 

So if you come across a famous name you can assume it's real or a total scam, unless they are playing with it, and this we can assume is allowed, right?

 

If you're using the name of someone famous but are not in any way implying you are that famous person you should be ok to do what you want.

 

Thank you guys, I'm satisfied!