I own a professional golfers name .com a Could I be in trouble.

[Brian D]

I own a professional golfers name .com. Is this a problem and could I get in trouble if I tried to sell it?

Thanks

Brian

 

[Ms Domainer]

I own a professional golfers name .com. Is this a problem and could I get in trouble if I tried to sell it?

Thanks

Brian

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You might find yourself in trouble, but it depends if the golfer would want to make a big deal out of your ownership of his/her name.

If you start making money off this name, you are likely to run into some legal trouble by someone who has deeper pockets than you.

Personal names are harder for plaintiffs to take, but I understand that Madonna did sue and got her name from the domain owner.

As for selling, again who knows? Trying to sell it to the golfer might be a bad idea.

Good luck.

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[jberryhill]

http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2000/d2000-0868.html

 

[shockie]

unless you happen to share the same name, chances are you'll get in trouble.

 

[Ms Domainer]

http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2000/d2000-0868.html

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Interesting case.

I can see the distinct difference between the AOLsucks[dot]com and this case, given that the respondent simply regged the golfer's name without the descriptive verb at the end. This suggests to me that personal names carry less weight than corporation names. Had this been a corporation's exact TM, this case may have had a different outcome (which was suggested when the panel seemed relieved at not having to deal with the "difficulty" of the Cliff Notes case).

In the case of the golfer, despite the fact that the respondent had regged the exact name, the panel rejected the "bad faith" argument, given that the page contained no ads and that no attempt to monetize was made.

On the other hand, I suspect OP did not reg this domain to invoke his/her free speech/first amendment rights.




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[jberryhill]

On the other hand, I suspect OP did not reg this domain to invoke his/her free speech/first amendment rights.

I share your suspicion.