Social Network Marketing Tycoon

**Bedford** · 08-17-2006, 07:41 PM

So, what is the rule when it comes to using something like a video game's name or TV show's name in a domain or forum name? I have scoured this forum, and have seen a few references to forums that people run around games, where the domain and forum name reference the game by name. Same thing with some TV shows forums.

Is it enought to have a disclaimer that the forum is an unofficial fan site and not affiliated with the game co / TV network? Or is using a game's name / tv show's name an invitation to get a nice letter from their legal dept??

Probably should have posted this in the Legal section, but since this specifically had to do with forums, I figured I'd try here first.

**jaymondo** · 08-17-2006, 08:27 PM

I believe that as of right now, it is actually illeagal based on the trademark of the name. However, the mere fact that the name is being advertised will help the company's advertising for that particular name. Unless of course the user is involved in malicious behavior in the forum, in which case the admin will probably ban them anyway. So in short, most of the time no one says anything about it.

**Lpspider** · 08-17-2006, 11:36 PM

It depends, but I've never heard of anyone getting sued from a tv related domain.

Like, I run a forum based on lost, the tv show on abc. Lost is such a general term, it wouldn't be fitting for them to try to sue. But if it was for a show such as, say, everybody loves raymond or something, that'd be different.

**johniman7** · 08-21-2006, 09:44 PM

Myspace sent out cease and desist letters to help sites containing the term myspace in their domain but as far as I know they didn't stop and myspace didn't pursue them any further.

Not sure about TV or game names but IMO I think you would be left alone as long as you were not doing anything malicious with their name.