Domain Squatting A Persons Name

Sup all. What are the legalities of domain squatting someones real name. I have a friend who is famous and his name is squatted. Obviously its owned because its his name. Can anything be done about this?

Thanks

 

What kind of domain, is it? A .com ...?

 

Yes its a .com
Does that make a difference?

 

he can start sending legal email to the domain owner assuming he knows who the owner is, if he doesn't then talk to his hosting or failing that to his registrar.

nothings guaranteed though

 

I just found this while doing some research. Great read and brings up some great info about protecting your domain.
http://tcattorney.typepad.com/domainnamedispute/2007/07/domain-name-nig.html

 

More than one person can have rights to use a particular name. Unless he is the only one with that name or has somehow trademarked it, he is out of luck.

I wish I could take the domain of my name, but someone else got it first. That is just the way things work.

 

http://www.dnforum.com/f26/famous-people-thread-303365.html

 

I would just change my name to something thats not squatted... DUH

 

i think its legal to register a persons name, as even "billGates.com" and "billGates.co.uk" are registered by some people and even have refused a bid for 750k for billgates.com i think

http://www.domainmart.com/BillGates.htm

http://www.theregister.co.uk/1999/12/13/bill_gates_domain_for_sale/

if there is a way he should have got them by now

 

Things just keep getting complicated

 

what if i register one name say a pronouncable 5L.com which has no meaning now
and after 5-6 years may be a celeb of that name borns

 

you can register anything you want, but if someone else patent it they can take it from you, case in point myspace.co.uk

 

myspace.co.uk was taken but they used to display myspace ad which was a drawback for their side right ?

check myspace.in , myspace.co.in

 

I doubt there is anything that can be done. Lots of people have the same name.

 

Everyone should have their name, if it's available. Unfortunately many people all over the world have the same name, so I don't see that he can do anything about it.

 

You can't copyright a personal name unless its a business etc and its filed. Then legal action can be taken to claim the domain name.

 

Very Funny.. those two site.. Loved it..

 

myspace.in also display mayspace ad on their space so why theyre still exist then?

myspace.com patented that name, its theirs now, no one else can use it without their permission. As to why those two sites are still exist? probably because it alot easier to sue somebody in country such as US or UK than others.

 

It's trademark, and one doesn't have to be a "business" to establish one using
their name. Look at showbiz and sports celebrities who commercially endorse
products yet haven't filed a trademark registration for their names.

 

This is why you always register your name first