Liability & Legality

**Fredto** · 11-28-2007, 12:01 AM

I have a potential client that may want a website started. She is a known actress (she starred in a few movies and some TV series) and her name.com is taken.

I would like to know a few things:

1) If she gives me her blessing to make the website, is there anything I or she can do to get the name back?

2) If yes, will it cost an insane amount of money or are they required to give it back for the registrar fee?

3) If she is legally entitled to have it but they don't want to give it back, to whom should I refer the case? The ICANN or the registrar?

Thanks a lot, guys.

**jeremy217** · 11-28-2007, 02:37 AM

The first thing you should do is try to buy it from these people.

If they will not sell it then Look up "icann domain dispute" and "wipo" the World Intellectual Property Organization. Do some reading.

It will cost you around $2000 to get the domain council to even meet and discuss the domain dispute.

So, if these people will sell for less than $2000 then buy it instead of filing a dispute because even if you file a dispute, it does not mean you will win.

If the person knows someone that actually has that name they can say they are using it for that purpose and that they are not just trying to get money out of you or the person. Thus you would not win in a domain name dispute.