Question about using a domain name

[jnr47]

Can I use a domain name with a band name in it?

For example, lets say I want to start a site for fans of Aerosmith.

Can I use the domain name:

Aerosmithfans.com or anything with aerosmith in the name?

Just purely an example. Obviously I can register the domain, but would I get shut down?

Looking forward to your comments.

 

[kblessinggr]

There are tons of fan groups and such online, and it becomes a 1st amendment issue when you allow fans to voice their opinions or submit content and such.

Where you may run into problems is using the domain for commercial purposes, such as selling merchandise with their name on it, or in any way claiming to be an official representative.

I would see if any other domain names exist with the band in particular you want to register, since something like say metalicarocks.com would probably get sued anyways because well... they sue everyone (hehe kinda like the RIAA).

 

[dogfighter]

Commercial or not, if the band or their label doesn't like it, you're gonna lose your site. I've known people who ran non-commercial fan sites and still got C&D'ed by the copyright owner. If the band is big enough, you should be able to do some research and see if they're overly tight-fisted about use of their name. I can tell you, for example, that a certain 3-letter full contact/MMA fighting league has been known to go after nearly every fan site that goes online.