Band/Music Fansites

[scottmccloud]

Is there any mileage in band/music fansites?

From what I can see there are good opportunites for monetization through Amazon and other sites for a whole host of merchandise, forum possibilities, just wondering what people's thoughts were?

Thanks
Scott

 

[doodlebug]

The only thing I can say mate is that with any band you're possibly going to get yourself into trouble with them because of trademark issues, I believe you can have a site about a certain band/artist but once you start to make a revenue from the site they could get funny with you.

Especially if you use eg bandname.org.uk, I seen panicatthedisco.co.uk was available to register and didn't bother.

 

[scottmccloud]

Hmmmm..... one to have a think about I think! Thanks for the reply Doodlebug.

Has anyone else got any experience of this?

 

[thadeas]

I have no experience on this subject but my view would be aslong as its clear on the website its an unofficial fansite then it shouldn't be a problem, take the example above, if panic at the disco or any member of their pr team hasn't already registered that domain then they probably are not bothered about it, if the site is a proper fansite promoting them in a positive manner then it will just increase their record sales and in the process make them money and hopefully make you alittle commision aswell.

 

[scottmccloud]

Yeah, that was my initial view on it. The site(s) in question aren't named after the band itself, they're named after what their fans are called. I've checked there's no TM's involved, and I've seen plenty of sites doing similar, so hopefully I'll be OK. We'll see anyway!

Thanks
Scott

 

[doodlebug]

Scott, I don't want to put a dampener on things but a name associated to the band doesn't have to be trademarked it just as to be in use by the band so they can prove they have been using it.

I agree with Thadeas it shouldn't matter if you're showing the band in a positive way and it would create extra sales for the band but unfortunately it's not that simple.

I would say reg the domain and set up a site and then contact the band and ask for permission, realistically they shouldn't say no because it would be in their interest but then it would be upto the manager/record label and not the band so give it a try and see, you never know they might reward you with a meet and greet ticket

 

[GotLiveChat]

Is there any mileage in band/music fansites?
...

Depends... on whether there are already unofficial web sites in existence
Nowadays, it's hard to find any popular artist/band/etc. that doesn't already have either a direct following to their own site/forums, or someone else who's already doing the "unofficial" angle.
But as others have mentioned, be clear on the unofficial mentioning (unless you can get more direct permission from them