domains and copyrights (name of actor or fictional character)

[adastuffed]

is it ok to buy an exact domain with a name of actor or fictional character from movie or cartoon?

[outwest]

Originally Posted by adastuffed

is it ok to buy an exact domain with a name of actor or fictional character from movie or cartoon?

depends on who it is, they might sue to get it back

also depends on what you do with it

example
walmartsucks.com, you KNOW that Walmart sicked their attorneys on that guy
Walmart lost
its free speech protected by the constitution, said the courts

[adastuffed]

I mean exact domain with actor name (its not a brand name) for example:

meganfox.com or spangebob.com

Originally Posted by outwest

also depends on what you do with it

some sort of fan-page or a wiki page about them ?

[outwest]

Originally Posted by adastuffed

I mean exact domain with actor name (its not a brand name) for example:

meganfox.com or spangebob.com



some sort of fan-page or a wiki page about them ?

I guess it only cost 10 bucks to try
if they send you a letter asking for it back, i guess then you can decide what to do

[adastuffed]

Originally Posted by outwest

I guess it only cost 10 bucks to try
if they send you a letter asking for it back, i guess then you can decide what to do

Thats right, but if want to push it to first page of google, the amount of work and SEO costs will be much higher

[Derek Pankaew]

I think the answer is that yes, it's trademark infringement. However, for fan sites, I think most companies let it go. It's good for them to have fan sites.

If you were using it to sell stuff or make money off their brand, that might be a different story. But I think fan sites are likely good to go.

[paulgl]

People and celebrities are fair game, unless they
trademark their names. Sometimes when they apply,
they get turned down. Sarah Palin is one I remember
recently that tried and was turned down.

One big reason many celebrities do not own their
names .com, is that fans have scooped them
up. Yes, if they complain, it may go to court.
Some win, many lose.

Nobody can take your domain from you except
in a legal ruling, not just because.

The exception is if you have a US based extension,
like com,net,org, and you are doing something illegal.
Or even a website with any US servers. The US govt
just shut down hundreds of fake NFL gear sites.

But remember this is only US law. Many countries could
give a rip about the US and their laws. Hence we have
fake apple stores in China.

Paul