A friend of mine was banned from AdSense 2 years ago. Is he allowed to sign up for AdWords now? Different domains but same name.
Google owns both, but I think your friend will be able to use Adwords, because when Google ban you they tell that you are banned from Adwords OR Adsense. If you banned only from one of services, then you probably can use the other one.
I've been banned from Adsense and they haven't kicked me of adwords yet! Probally because Im spending heaps of money.. hehe!