Is it ok to register singers' or football players' names?

[kosvam]

As long as I cheked I didn't find the answer on previous threads.

So, is it legal to register a singer's name in .com? Or a football player's, such as LionelMessi.com?
Are things getting any better if you develop an unofficial fan club on that domain?

 

[ioana_bv]

It will be TM infringement.

 

[Green Moon]

That depends. Many states give individuals the sole right to the commercial use of their names. Registering a name may be OK if you are a fan and use the page only as a non-commercial website, but not if you are using the domain for commercial purposes. In other words, even a fan site is likely to cross the line if it is supported by advertising revenues, membership dues, sales of related products, etc...

You are better to stay away from using celebrity names without permission. Even if you are on relatively solid ground, you could find yourself on the wrong side of a law suit.

 

[eurorealtor]

As long as I cheked I didn't find the answer on previous threads.

So, is it legal to register a singer's name in .com? Or a football player's, such as LionelMessi.com?
Are things getting any better if you develop an unofficial fan club on that domain?

I don't think it worth the risk and head ache. Good luck tho.

Just remember about Meat Loaf suing the singer / band in England, I believe, over the "Meat Loaf" which is IMHO pretty generic term for TM.

 

[Dave_Z]

If you want to make a non-commercial fan site, that might...might be okay.

If you want to make money off of someone's name that might...might...have trademark rights, that could become a problem.

Ultimately, it depends who you are possibly dealing with.

 

[Ronald Regging]

There is such a thing as Fair Use, which like others have stated, if you want to setup a non-commercial fan site, you should be fine. But, anything is possible. Hell, if I wanted to, I could sue you for it, even though I have no legal claim, and you'd probably hand it over to me rather than pay the cost for legal fees...

 

[kosvam]

Thanks guys for the answers.
What I was thinking from the begin is a non-commercial fan forum. There are many examples around the web with exact celebrity's domain names. But now, I believe it doesn't worth the risk, especially when you can't place any ads in order to cover - at least - the development and maintenance costs.
Next option is to contact the celebrity, or his manager, and ask for his permission to develop the fan site. I know - there are not many chances to receive an answer, but is it legal to do so?

 

[.NJ]

I know - there are not many chances to receive an answer, but is it legal to do so?

No harm in making contact and asking for permission.

This would be the appropriate course of action to take.

Nice to see someone who actually wants to conduct business in this industry with the proper actions.

Repped