Country music star Conway Twitty died in 1993, but ownership of the ConwayTwitty.com domain name lives on.
Now the question is who has rights to the domain name. Royce Inman registered the domain and operated the domain as a fan site. But Conway Twitty’s estate claims it should be the rightful owner of the domain. The estate is suing Inman and asking for $250,000 in punitive damages.
But this isn’t a straightforward case. Apparently in 1997 the estate allowed Inman to sell some Conway Twitty merchandise. After Inman purchased the ConwayTwitty.com domain name the estate reached an agreement with him over ownership. According to the estate, Inman was allowed to use the domain but the estate could request a transfer of ownership at any time.
When the estate contacted Inman requesting a transfer of ownership he agreed to transfer the domain in return for royalties. Inman also posted the site for sale on GoDaddy’s TDNAM for $50,000. This is one of the first times I’ve seen a domain listing on an aftermarket site be used in a court case.
What do Conway Twitty’s fans think about this scuffle? ConwayTwitty.com currently features a message board about Conway Twitty. This message sums up the sentiment:
The state of conwaytwitty.com
Posted on January 13, 2006 at 10:23:07 AM by toddivy
Wow, what has this come to. Just found the following article in the nashville paper. This comes as shocking news. I have followed Conway’s site for many years and have enjoyed reading the posts and all the tribute to his honor. It has been nice hearing from the Twitty family who also use this site. It is a shame that they have to stoop to this level for a guy who has been a family friend for so long and has done so well to keep Conway’s memory alive. Guess it goes to show what coming into money can do to a person (or in this case, family) who not so long ago was on the other side of the fence. Makes you wonder what Conway would say if he were still alive. Just my 2 cents.
First of all, the executors of my father’s estate made this agreement with Royce Inman without our knowledge. Our father was in business with Mr. Inman prior to his death but had terminated all business dealings with him. Mr. Inman was not a long time family friend. It appears he was in it for financial reasons. Our father instructed, in his will, that he wanted his life’s work to be entrusted to his four children. For the past twelve and a half years we have fought for his wishes. Approximately a year and a half ago, we finally received the rights to his name, image and music. The fan who posted their opinion on the message board did not have the facts. As for what my father would say, his wishes were clear in his will. I believe in my heart that he would want his family to have his domain name rather than a man who was in it for financial reasons. Especially a man with whom he had terminated all business dealings.
Joni, Thanks for posting
I agree I Think Her Father Would Want Them To Have What Belongs to Them
Having been a conway fan for 40 years, I think it has been ashame as to how his children sold Twitty City plus everything in the home, and how they treated Dee Henry.
Conway was in love with Dee. His sudden death was difficult on his children, and other family members.Let this man rest in peace, and stop looking for ways to constant
sue.