I have a few domain names with famous rock band names in the title. I would like to build music video websites that focus on each band's videos. The sites would pull from places like youtube or google videos. My questions are: Would there be any type of copyright issue with doing this? Do i need to contact the respective bands and ask for permission? Would it be legal for me to monetize these sites by placing google ads on them? Sorry, if these ?'s sound stupid, but i am kinda new to this and don't want to create any legal problems for myself. If anyone can help me and give me some good advice I will give rep points to all that reply. thanks in advance.
There are two different issues. Creating a site that uses a bands name would likely be trademark infringement, although you don't know if they will enforce it. Getting permission to use the domain name would solve this worry. Many videos on google and youtube are copyright infringement (they didn't have permission). If you only link to them, chances are they won't come after you but you will have to deal with linking to content that is deleted. Anytime you host images or videos on your server, you need to have permission. If you use an image of the band, make sure you have permission from the owner - which is usually not the band, but the photographer. Monetizing the site in any way (adsense, donations, memberships) makes the site a commercial venture - not a mere fan site. The only way to eliminate all legal risk is to get permission - although most sites don't and are assuming a risk.