Registering band/artist names?

[drivenZ]

can you register band(musician) domain names or are there trademark issues with this? the band currently has an album out but the domain isn't registered under .net or .com. Does putting out an album under that name automatically trademark it? thanks all

 

[Rebels]

I've heard two different sides to this. Some people have told me when someone is famous their name becomes public domain or something, but I've also heard they can sue the living daylights out of you. I hope someone here can answer this as well, great question!

 

[SiberForum]

You can. But I suppose such domain names are already taken. Don't you think so?

 

[drivenZ]

yea ive also heard two sides, one of which being they could sue you...the band is getting a fair amount of attention with their first relase a few months ago, i think they have 500k views on myspace and coverage on a major news network. so what to do, what to do. i guess i could always register it and if they ever throw a fit, just give it up? is this cybersquatting?

 

[exsedo]

It can be tricky. If you build and monetize a site using their name, technically you are cybersquatting.
If you build a non profit fan site using their name, then you are not. The question is, are you thinking of registering their name to make money or to build a site as a hobby ?

 

[Ronald Regging]

Just park it for a completely unrelated term and hope that people click through. That seems to be the legal way of infringing on TMs