Pierce Brosnan Wins Rights to His Domain Name
Posted on: Tuesday, 2 September 2003, 06:00 CDT
GENEVA (AP) - James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has won control of the Internet name www.piercebrosnan.com in a ruling by a United Nations panel.
Arbitrators from the World Intellectual Property Organization ordered the transfer of the domain name to the Irish actor, who had complained that it was being used illegally.
The ruling said the registered owner of the name - Alberta Hot Rods, of Alberta, Canada - had no rights or interests in the name and was using it in bad faith.
Brosnan's lawyers told the panel that the domain linked to another Web site, www.celebrity1000.com, which they said contained biographies of some actors but no information about Brosnan. They noted that the site carries numerous advertising messages, and that the owner appeared to be using Brosnan's name to earn money.
The owner of the site did not file a defense.
Anyone can register a domain name for a few dollars, which has led so-called "cybersquatters" to file for famous names to make a fast buck from those who want the names. Some names are worth millions of dollars.
Brosnan's lawyers noted that Alberta Hot Rods is linked to Jeff Burgar, whom they described as a "notorious cybersquatter." In its ruling, the U.N. panel said that Burgar or linked companies have previously been ordered to hand over domain names to other celebrities.
Actors Kevin Spacey and Pamela Anderson, "Jurassic Park" author Michael Crichton as well as singing star Celine Dion all have won their domain names from Burgar or companies linked to him.
The U.N. arbitration system, which started in 1999, allows those who think they have the right to a domain to get it back without having to fight a costly legal battle or paying large sums of money.
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