Best Way to Monetize This Type of Domain?

by 12 replies
15
Hypothetically speaking, let's say someone owned the domain name LeBron James dot com (obviously I don't, but wish I did). It's just a convenient example in this case.

What would be the best way to monetize it?

The obvious answer is "sell it to LeBron for $1 million". Let's assume that you wanted to keep it...

1) Would you place Adsense ads on it?
2) Could you sell LeBron James merchandise, or is that a Trademark or Copyright issue?
I'm assuming that you can't, but figured I would ask.
3) Could you at least place products as affiliate links, so that when they visit your site and click a product, it directs them to nba.com and you get paid as an affiliate for whatever they purchase?

I know that it's probably a combination of things. There are probably some options that I didn't even mention.

***How would YOU monetize this site?***
#main internet marketing discussion forum #domain #monetize #type
  • You'd have to set it up as a fan site and just hope that some hotshot trademark attorney doesn't come knocking.

    Why not do a search on the celebs name and see what comes up? That would give you some more ideas. Just a thought.

    Steve
    • [1] reply
    • They always do... this is a bad idea from start to finish.
  • I see, but what could they do? What would be a violation and what wouldn't? Would directing people to nba.com be a violation of trademark?

    Actually owning the domain name is 110% fine right? I mean could you just own the domain name and hope that you get high traffic and Adwords clicks?
  • No additional advice anyone?
    • [1] reply
  • if his name is copywrited I wouldn't do anything with it, or you'll gt sued
    • [1] reply
    • Banned
      Names aren't "copyrighted", but they're sometimes trademarked. It's also possible to be sued anyway, even if they're not trademarked, if you're exploiting someone's image/identity for profit, without their consent, so it's not as if lack of trademark necessarily makes it safe.

      The links Gene kindly provided above are pretty helpful, but the bottom line is that this is not only a legal issue, but sometimes quite a complicated legal issue with some gray areas, some differing policies and procedures, and added to that the law isn't even the same in every country anyway. Unless you get replies from qualified lawyers, you're going to get guesses on a question like this. And it seems some of the guesses you already have, here, may well be mistaken ones. Apologies if I sound churlish, but it would be a big mistake to rely on Warrior impressions of this subject.

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...al-advice.html

      I wouldn't. I'd have absolutely nothing to do with it at all. I like to sleep at night.
      • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • FAQ about Domain Names and Trademarks -- Chilling Effects Clearinghouse

    http://www.nolo.com/legal-encycloped...faq-29049.html
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Banned
      If you are serious with this kind of website, the first thing you need to do is ask permission to monetize your site after their name or brand name.
      Usually they will set up a commission scheme for you to be able to use any of their intellectual property.
  • Thanks for the replies, everyone.

    LEGAL ISSUES ASIDE...if everything is on the up and up and good...

    How would you monetize it? If I wanted to make say Jay-Z t-shirts...I couldn't sell them?

    I'm sure the NBA, etc. must have some sort of affiliate program.

    Can we keep this conversation rolling please?
  • I would build up a fan page, don't sell anything on the site, build a list, then sell to the list.
  • A fan page in facebook? If so, where is the use of that domain?
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed