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advice First And Last Name Domains - Are They Ethical?

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First and last name domains are a type of domain that I love buying. But some other people think that these types of domains should not purchased.

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What do you think about First and Last Name domains? Ethical or not?
 
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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
For example, Ukrainian multibillionaire Rinat Akhmetov lost UDRP regarding Akhmetov.com
 
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I really comes down to first usage of commercial purpose.

But in that case .. the other person who wants the domain because it *IS* their name .. very likely is indirectly using their name as a brand already .. so unless the domain is already operating a business .. then first use goes in their favour.

*IF* you registered a first/last name and started a business using that name .. then you should have no problem if it's a legit business. The standards for good faith might be a little higher in this case to make sure it's not just some shell ghost business .. but as long as it's done in good faith .. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY .. not in the same TM category as a pre-existing business used by someone with same name .. then you're fine.

Usage is a VERY important factor in TM claims.
 
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For example, Ukrainian multibillionaire Rinat Akhmetov lost UDRP regarding Akhmetov.com

Again .. this discussion has nothing to do with First Names alone .. or Last Names alone.

It is a discussion on FULL NAMES (First+Last names together) ..
ie: discussion about RinatAkhmetov.com ...
not about Rinat.com .. and not about Akhmetov.com
 
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And what's next???

I like discussions where readers can receive the detailed and full answers.
Not just partially.
 
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And what's next???

I like discussions where readers can receive the detailed and full answers.
Not just partially.

What do you mean? As I said earlier on in this discussion .. I'm pretty sure everyone is in agreement that just first names alone or just last names alone are more than generic enough to be considered ethical. The sum combination of First+Last names together are significantly more specific however .. and as such much more debatable as the ethical merits of holding such specific domains are a completely different argument from just a single name alone.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be discussed if you want to .. but it's a very different discussion (for a different thread) as single names alone are significantly less precise and much more generic than First+Last names together.

As I also said above .. I agree with you 100% for single names .. Personally I think single names are more than fine and should indeed be considered generic .. but again .. different discussion. ;)

Even if you want to continue discussing them here I can't/won't stop you .. lol .. but bear in mind that every time you use "they" or refer to "those domains" .. people will wrongly think you are referring to First+Last full names together (as posting in the first post) .. when you are talking you are actually talking about just single names alone. Which I'm pretty sure wasn't your intention?
 
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As others have said as one as it isn't targeting a specific end user I think its OK. Particularly if it is a common name. I actually have a couple of celebrity names that I regged to prevent squatting/to donate to the celebs but getting them to take them has been tricky :p
 
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I actually have a couple of celebrity names that I regged to prevent squatting/to donate to the celebs but getting them to take them has been tricky :p

Yeah I have a common First/Last name domain that happens to be a semi popular celebrity. I didn't buy it for that though, I knew it was a common name overall.

I offered it to them for FREE and they never got back to me...lol.
 
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Yeah I have a common First/Last name domain that happens to be a semi popular celebrity. I didn't buy it for that though, I knew it was a common name overall. I offered it to them for FREE and they never got back to me...lol.

If you offered it to them for free and they didn't reply .. then everything I said above does not apply .. and the domain is 100% fair game .. lol
 
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