I often purchase domains names that I think one day will be worth something.
I purchased a domain name 3-4 years ago of a famous athletes child. The child was in the early stages of doing what their father does, and there was a good chance this child would end up being a star of their sport…and that is what has happened.
The attorney (or copyright firm) has contacted me via email informing me they want the domain name turned over to them within 48 hours, or they will go through the process of taking the domain name from me in court.
I have gone to their website, and they have a pretty impressive list of clientele, so its a little intimidating.
HOWEVER…the childs name is a unique name that is also a “verb”, which complicates their case. A silly example without giving too much info. If your name was “Jump Wilson”, it presents a problem proving jumpwilson.com is about the “person”. Running out of allowed room. Will follow up in added details….
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I would settle with them. I mean you don’t want millions right?
It isn’t Tiger Woods is it? lol Do you have an attorney? Maybe you should contact one, and have them contact the other attorney – that way you stay out of it and it will be a legal dispute (out of court). Otherwise be as professional as you can. Do you have a good idea of what it’s worth? If so you could go ahead and do it if you think they will pay what its worth. I think it’s pretty sketchy that they contact you through email with a 48 hour time frame. What if you were not around your computer? I’d think to settle something like this they would want to talk to you. Good luck.
Can you email me about how you buy domain names?
The rule basically is that if you are already using the domain (have a website) you get to keep it. If they find you are just holding the domain without a website they can take it from you. My advice would be to build a website quick.
You need to be careful, especially with a lot of the issues that extend out of the recent happenings at VT and the websites from there. It is quite likely that courts will be wanting to expand the jurisdiction of “cybersquatting”. The odds are increasing that you could be found guilty of this and would have absolutely no rights to the website. If they want to settle I would take it.
I would see my own attorney about the matter and see exactly what my rights are because it seems if you purchased the domain then how can it just be “taken” from you? Your attorney should be able to advise you on what you can do.
This person’s child (or their guardian and/or attorney) has to prove they own trademark rights in the child’s name. Very difficult to prove use of a surname in a domain dispute! See the recent Bill Clinton domain dispute where he LOST. Ted Turner and Donald Trump have also lost. Call me if you are interested in having an attorney write a letter back to these people.