Using Poker Players Names in Domains?

[pokerprop]

I've seen fan sites etc sell for various poker pros that I've always wondered if it was legal to make these type of sites.

For example I own petereastgate.net. If I went and build a fan site about him and then attempted to make a profit from that site, however small, wouldn't this fall under the unauthorized use of a person's name or likeness and he'd have a slam dunk case if he wished to sue me?

Also I own IveyPoker.com lets use another example and say I did a site nothing to do with Phil Ivey and lets go as far to say this was a real money poker room. I'd recon Phil Ivey still would have a strong case against me.

Please discuss both from a legal and ethical stand point. Thanks.

[TheDonk]

Yeah, but what if your name was also Peter Eastgate (wink wink) and you built a poker blog or w/e about you (cough) and your own poker escapades? There is more than one guy named Peter Eastgate in the world who also plays poker, it's not that unreasonable if you aren't using his likeness and building the site around him. Still get the SEO credit though.

I'm willing to bet a lot of it has to do with how savvy that player and his entourage are, and how much they care. For example, I think Phil Ivey would be less concerned with a site like this than say...Phil Hellmuth. With that said, FT might have a bigger problem with it than UB.

Sorry, don't know any of the legal stuff here, I'm only good for random thoughts.

[LadyHoldem]

Fan pages also seem to be legit.. I mean a Hannah Montana Fan page for instance.. bet there are a couple..

Perhaps you're interested in becoming the president of the hottest Peter Eastgate fanclub on the net?

As a side note.. donk.. is there something in your eye :P.

[pokerprop]

Are these fan pages using her name in domain? are they attempting to make a profit? and, do they have permission to do so?

I'm really interested in this topic because it is one I have thought about for years but for whatever reason never got around to asking.

[TheGooner]

Regarding the PeterEastgate example.

PeterEastgate the WSOP player does not have exclusive rights to the domain name PeterEastgate.net.

If you are another Peter Eastgate then of course you can use the website - you can even talk about your poker activity. All of that is not cyber-squatting or poaching.

But - and it should be a big BUT - as soon as you start using images and/or descriptions of the more famous Peter Eastgate - and if THAT Peter Eastgage becomes the main point of your site - then you lose your arguement about the innocent intent and purpose of the site ...

... and the site will be forced from you IF the celebrity decides that they want it.

(IMO at least)

[pokerprop]

Ok sorry I guess I wasn't clear in the thread.

PeterEastgate.net I registered before he made the WSOP Main Event final table and before he was anything of a celeb. I'm not really asking if me owning that domain is an issue because I'm sure its not am willing to defend my position on it, and don't own it for anything more than reg fee and a couple renewals so no issues there with risk of loss.

I guess I just felt it was safer to use my own examples than to use real ones that are currently in use, as i'm not out to get anyone or harm anyone doing this. I just see some people doing it and I'm not sure they understand the risks and it seems the rewards are quite small in most cases compared to the risk.

However I don't have anywhere close to a proper assessment of the risks it is just something that has crossed my mind on numerous occasions.

[LadyHoldem]

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