I own the domain of a Celebrity's name

[mibamars]

Hello

I recently purchased the full name of celebrity .com domain eg.

FirstNameLastName.com

What should I do with it to make money but without being sued?

 

[Jeffreyw]

Give it to the celebrity for free.

 

[dejanlesi]

Make a fan site and i dont think you should have a problem..

 

[Stian]

I have the Artistname.com of a world famous hip-hop artist (within his genre he's actually considered the best ). I haven't done anything with the domain yet, but I'm thinking of developing it into a fan-site as well. I don't think it should get you in any trouble. The worst thing that can happen is that the artist's label wants to make a deal with you.

 

[Anthony Ng]

The worst thing that can happen is that the artist's label wants to make a deal with you.

Not meant to be rude, but too many (newbies) are too ready to bet (speculate, risk). OF COURSE, THAT is NOT the worst that could happen. Let me tell you what is worse. I got a court summons from the celebrity months after a nice chat on the phone with her manager (talked about developing the website together). Yes, no cease and desist, and legal action right away. And I had to pull some connections south of the border (I'm Canadian). Finally settled it after some fuss (and made some new friends along the way). But the lesson of the day is, it can be VERY bad.

 

[Stian]

Not meant to be rude, but too many (newbies) are too ready to bet (speculate, risk). OF COURSE, THAT is NOT the worst that could happen. Let me tell you what is worse. I got a court summons from the celebrity months after a nice chat on the phone with her manager (talked about developing the website together). Yes, no cease and desist, and legal action right away. And I had to pull some connections south of the border (I'm Canadian). Finally settled it after some fuss (and made some new friends along the way). But the lesson of the day is, it can be VERY bad.

I was being ironic when I said that "the worst that can happen is..". Of course you can get a C&D. I forgot the little smiley indicating that I was sort of ironic, but at the same time optimistic that a fan-site (preferably non-profit) would be the best way to go.

 

[mibamars]

what would the point be in making a not for profit fan site?

 

[Biggie]

Not meant to be rude, but too many (newbies) are too ready to bet (speculate, risk). OF COURSE, THAT is NOT the worst that could happen. Let me tell you what is worse. I got a court summons from the celebrity months after a nice chat on the phone with her manager (talked about developing the website together). Yes, no cease and desist, and legal action right away. And I had to pull some connections south of the border (I'm Canadian). Finally settled it after some fuss (and made some new friends along the way). But the lesson of the day is, it can be VERY bad.

i had a beyonce name and got a call from her father!

what would the point be in making a not for profit fan site?

it would show you are a true fan!


but the real point is probably to investigate the cases of celebrity domains that have been taken thru C&D's before purchasing one for development.

or check out the fan websites that still exist and see what they do to avoid seizure of their domains.

hope you didn't invest big bucks

 

[Stian]

what would the point be in making a not for profit fan site?

For building traffic and actually using the domain for something while waiting for a potential buyer. I don't say there's much point in having no profits, I'm just saying that having no ads or income whatsoever is a pretty good argument in a WIPO.

 

[mibamars]

I cbf making a fan site.

 

[jasdon11]

How about making a site for people who share the celebs name (if there are any).

A British comedian made his name with a series of tv shows all about meeting other people who shared his name - Dave Gorman - he went all over the world just to meet various 'Dave Gormans'. His pal videod the moments when they met and he span it out into a whole series.

If the celebs name is a relatively normal one, then a good way (I'd have thought) to keep hold of the domain would be by acknowleging that the 'first name last name' is not unique to the celeb. Not saying that it's perfect, but it could help sway a panel into favouring the domain holder...

 

[Gerry]

I have the Artistname.com of a world famous hip-hop artist (within his genre he's actually considered the best ). I haven't done anything with the domain yet, but I'm thinking of developing it into a fan-site as well. I don't think it should get you in any trouble. The worst thing that can happen is that the artist's label wants to make a deal with you.

The biggest concern I have with this is using the person's images.

Yes, every one does it. We all know that.

But if you have THE best available I'm afraid you may be setting yourself up for a big fall.

I say this from my own cautious perspective of building a site and putting a great deal of time and effort into it only to have it seized. These agents and labels are so notorious for slapping lawsuits on any one selling merchandise or songs or trinkets. They end up owning the artist and the rights.

Would it be best (and perhaps you have thought of this) to make a purely generic site featuring Hip Hop music? Ringtones?

 

[mibamars]

What if I made a fan site of it that was SO CRAP that in order to save that persons image, they would be compelled to buy it off me? I.e, a fan site with the celebs bio, some news & links about them, etc, but a terrible design, with terrible pix done on paint, bad colours, etc? It would have no ads or offers to sell, just contact details for the sites owner.

 

[hugegrowth]

Funny but is this really how you want to go about doing business? Better to invest your time in a domain and building a website that you're interested in and can make revenue off of long term, than to build some crappy site hoping a celebrity will buy it off you. More and more celebrities are going after their domains these days through litigation so the chances of getting a good offer are slimmer all the time.

 

[Gerry]

What if I made a fan site of it that was SO CRAP that in order to save that persons image, they would be compelled to buy it off me? I.e, a fan site with the celebs bio, some news & links about them, etc, but a terrible design, with terrible pix done on paint, bad colours, etc? It would have no ads or offers to sell, just contact details for the sites owner.

You would have better luck wishing on a shooting star.

 

[ftaylor]

What if I made a fan site of it that was SO CRAP that in order to save that persons image, they would be compelled to buy it off me? I.e, a fan site with the celebs bio, some news & links about them, etc, but a terrible design, with terrible pix done on paint, bad colours, etc? It would have no ads or offers to sell, just contact details for the sites owner.

That made me laugh out loud.

 

[Onward]

What if I made a fan site of it that was SO CRAP that in order to save that persons image, they would be compelled to buy it off me? I.e, a fan site with the celebs bio, some news & links about them, etc, but a terrible design, with terrible pix done on paint, bad colours, etc? It would have no ads or offers to sell, just contact details for the sites owner.

Why don't you just sell them "protection"...everyone in their neighborhood needs it...or else .

Or just stalk them until they pay you to stay away...yeah...maybe that :-/

 

[Gerry]

Why don't you just sell them "protection"...everyone in their neighborhood needs it...or else .

Or just stalk them until they pay you to stay away...yeah...maybe that :-/

Yeah, look what happened to Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.

Had they owned their domain they would be alive today. :yes:

 

[Biggie]

Yeah, look what happened to Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.

Had they owned their domain they would be alive today. :yes:

well ... biggie is still here

and i try to keep the spirit of 2pac alive

 

[Soofi]

That made me laugh out loud.

lol me tooo