WWE want to sue me even though I have no pics on my site - GoFuckYourself.com

Gooner · 03-17-2004, 09:55 AM

I have a small site that used to have pics of WWE Divas nude (like 99% of celeb sites, admittedly I was using these illegally).

So when WWE Corp wrote to me asking me to remove them I apologised and did so immediately, but kept the site going and now point surfers towards Mr Skin which does have some nude WWE Divas pics which they're legally allowed to show.

But WWE Corp still aren't happy and want me to stop using the domain www.free-wwe-divas-nude.com

I am no legal expert but that seems harsh so I refused, and they've threatened to file an ICANN complaint and obtain the domain name that way.

Does anyone with similar experience know if I'm within my rights to keep the domain or if they're likely to succeed?

tbabe · 03-17-2004, 09:57 AM

well, you are using their name in the domain so they would probably win

Basic_man · 03-17-2004, 09:58 AM

Those are bitchass nigga who want all !

crockett · 03-17-2004, 09:59 AM

I'm only a GFY lawyer but your in copy right violation.. it's the same as using a domain called AOLBabes or Microsoftgirls and so on... you are using their name in your with clear intent to do so....

give them the domain and I'm sure they will be happy.

Gooner · 03-17-2004, 10:04 AM

Guess you're right, don't fancy taking on WWE Corp's army of lawyers, thanks for the advice.

C-Bass · 03-17-2004, 10:10 AM

Damn, hope your pockets are deep nuff to handle the heat

Good luck

xenophobic · 03-17-2004, 10:16 AM

it goes a little further that just having a similar name, however you're drecting to content that includes their trademarks, and copyright - so they have a much better chance in a dispute.

While owning a domain with someone's trademark included in whole/part of the name is not a good idea, if you're not using it for commercial gain, or causing a dilution of trademark (where consumers may be confused) it would be easier to argue your point.

You might ask them if they would be willing to re-emburse your registration fee's, as long as you're not demanding above the price you paid, they may agree - and least you're not out any money.

Roger · 03-17-2004, 10:34 AM

I think they where quite nice to you. What's the point of removing the nude pics if you where gonna redirect surfers to a similar site? Just do what they say already.

Gooner · 03-17-2004, 10:44 AM

I just did.

Shame, the site has PR5 and an Alexa traffic rank of 227,046. What am I gonna do with it now?

If I put links on it that don't point to WWE content would that be ok by them? I know my ratio would drop substantially if surfers found links to teen sites instead of pics of Sable's tits but it's better than nothing I s'pose.

Unless someone wants to buy the domain and take on WWE Corp!

xenophobic · 03-17-2004, 10:50 AM

the "no content" argument wouldn't work to well since they already made one reasonable request, and had to follow up with a threatening letter.

They will just argue to ICANN that they attempted to settle this matter once, however how long till you do the same thing again?

never try to fight corporations with lots of money, it never really works out for you. A good example of this would be a woman who designed perfume/bath items and had her own boutique in New York, she marketed her products under the name "Glow" and had used it for years, When "J-Lo" released her perfume called "Glow" she had so many customers asking her affiliation with J-Lo she decided to sue for dilution of her trademark, needless to say J-Lo's attorney's threw money at the problem and bought a older trademark of perfume products marketed as "Glow" now she is not sure if she can continue selling her product with the name SHE created, marketed and ultimately made!

03-17-2004, 09:55 AM	#1
Gooner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 20	WWE want to sue me even though I have no pics on my site I have a small site that used to have pics of WWE Divas nude (like 99% of celeb sites, admittedly I was using these illegally). So when WWE Corp wrote to me asking me to remove them I apologised and did so immediately, but kept the site going and now point surfers towards Mr Skin which does have some nude WWE Divas pics which they're legally allowed to show. But WWE Corp still aren't happy and want me to stop using the domain www.free-wwe-divas-nude.com I am no legal expert but that seems harsh so I refused, and they've threatened to file an ICANN complaint and obtain the domain name that way. Does anyone with similar experience know if I'm within my rights to keep the domain or if they're likely to succeed?

03-17-2004, 09:57 AM	#2
tbabe Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,494	well, you are using their name in the domain so they would probably win __________________ Still one of the best programs on the net. According to their banner, you can get rich.

03-17-2004, 09:58 AM	#3
Basic_man Programming King Pin Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 27,360	Those are bitchass nigga who want all ! __________________ UUGallery Builder - automated photo/video gallery plugin for Wordpress! Stop looking! Checkout Naked Hosting, online since 1999 !

03-17-2004, 09:59 AM	#4
crockett in a van by the river Industry Role: Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 76,806	I'm only a GFY lawyer but your in copy right violation.. it's the same as using a domain called AOLBabes or Microsoftgirls and so on... you are using their name in your with clear intent to do so.... give them the domain and I'm sure they will be happy. __________________ In November, you can vote for America's next president or its first dictator.

03-17-2004, 10:10 AM	#6
C-Bass Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: th3 1nt3Rwebz Posts: 3,153	Damn, hope your pockets are deep nuff to handle the heat Good luck __________________ "Unhappy with the riches 'cause you're piss poor morally." Trade traffic? - Highdef Blog

03-17-2004, 10:04 AM	#5
Gooner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 20	Guess you're right, don't fancy taking on WWE Corp's army of lawyers, thanks for the advice.

03-17-2004, 10:16 AM	#7
xenophobic Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 874	it goes a little further that just having a similar name, however you're drecting to content that includes their trademarks, and copyright - so they have a much better chance in a dispute. While owning a domain with someone's trademark included in whole/part of the name is not a good idea, if you're not using it for commercial gain, or causing a dilution of trademark (where consumers may be confused) it would be easier to argue your point. You might ask them if they would be willing to re-emburse your registration fee's, as long as you're not demanding above the price you paid, they may agree - and least you're not out any money.

03-17-2004, 10:34 AM	#8
Roger Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MetroCity Posts: 3,181	I think they where quite nice to you. What's the point of removing the nude pics if you where gonna redirect surfers to a similar site? Just do what they say already.

03-17-2004, 10:44 AM	#9
Gooner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 20	I just did. Shame, the site has PR5 and an Alexa traffic rank of 227,046. What am I gonna do with it now? If I put links on it that don't point to WWE content would that be ok by them? I know my ratio would drop substantially if surfers found links to teen sites instead of pics of Sable's tits but it's better than nothing I s'pose. Unless someone wants to buy the domain and take on WWE Corp!

03-17-2004, 10:50 AM	#10
xenophobic Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 874	the "no content" argument wouldn't work to well since they already made one reasonable request, and had to follow up with a threatening letter. They will just argue to ICANN that they attempted to settle this matter once, however how long till you do the same thing again? never try to fight corporations with lots of money, it never really works out for you. A good example of this would be a woman who designed perfume/bath items and had her own boutique in New York, she marketed her products under the name "Glow" and had used it for years, When "J-Lo" released her perfume called "Glow" she had so many customers asking her affiliation with J-Lo she decided to sue for dilution of her trademark, needless to say J-Lo's attorney's threw money at the problem and bought a older trademark of perfume products marketed as "Glow" now she is not sure if she can continue selling her product with the name SHE created, marketed and ultimately made!