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Brian:

View Profile: kindsvater

Alan, thanks for the recommendation.

Aaron, I don't give legal advice on the forum, nor could I since I do not know the domain name.

However, general speaking and for anyone interested in the topic, registering a famous person's full name as a domain name, for the purposing of profiting from that person, results in a situation where there is nothing that may prevent loss of the domain.

Sorry.

There are people who register domains of high school football players, even junior high players, hoping to strike it rich if the player becomes famous. More likely they are inviting a lawsuit.

You can read this domain dispute case involving David Gilmour, a famous recording artist from Pink Floyd:

WIPO Domain Name Decision: D2000-1459

The court initially said that for run of the mill personal names the domain dispute procedure does not apply.

In other words, feel free to register personal names even if it is not your name.

But of course there is no reason to do that - at least if you're trying to make money and not simply to tweak someone.

For a famous person, like a prodigy, the person has the right to the domain of their name.

So in this case a Pink Floyd fan registering davidgilmour.com for a fansite lost his domain to the real David Gilmour.

Judges also often find whatever interpretations of the law they need to decide in a case in an equitable manner. Taking a 12 year old's name and trying to profit off the kid as he becomes more famous? And at the same time preventing the kid from having his domain name when he becomes an adult? Not good. Then you hope only a domain dispute action is filed so only the domain is lost, and not federal trademark action where damages can be awarded.