<songtitle>.co.uk

TheWizard · Oct 28, 2008

Hi,

Just after a few experienced DRS'ers opinions on this one. I've a friend (I know you're all going "yeah, yeah, of course" right now), that has a domain, which is <songtitle>.co.uk - Which is used to run a fan site from. The artist in question has employed one of these rights enforcement companies who are now trying to get him to hand over the domain as part of "the deal". Having looked through the DRS policy, I see section 4, item b:

Fair use may include sites operated solely in tribute to or in criticism of a person or business.

Which I think provides him with valid use of the domain name in question.

Has anyone else been through anything similar?

Cheers muchly,

bb99 · Oct 28, 2008

You have pretty much hit the nail on the head in that the DRS does provide something of an exemption for fan/tribute sites.

BUT it isn't as simple as that - if the site is generating revenue for the owner or perhaps supporting/encouraging illegal downloads then you may still lose a DRS.

Off the top of my head, I think the scoobydoo.co.uk case is a good example of the tables turning where the domain name owner has made money out of the site (or rather the appeal is).

Best of luck to your friend

I am not a lawyer, nor are most of the morons on here, etc etc

TheWizard · Oct 28, 2008

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, appreciated the legal disclaimer etc. didn't expect a full legal opinion, I just know there's a lot of people with DRS experience on here.

The site is purely non profit, there aren't even any adverts on it, with the exception of the forums - which are a 3rd party freebie forum hosting service. No links to illegal music downloads, site has never been about that, purely news, concert reviews etc.

Cheers,

bb99 · Oct 28, 2008

What else is in play here - you mentioned a deal, what are they wanting the site owner to do other than hand over the domain name?

TheWizard · Oct 28, 2008

Various things, no photos published unless official (basically all fan sites will have the same photo content, bar 1 exclusive photo per site), agree to link to the official artist site and a few other items (which are perfectly reasonable).