Celebrity wins decision for TuckerCarlson.com.
Conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson has won rights to the domain name TuckerCarlson.com.
The decision handed down through World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under UDRP on June 2. In Carlson’s complaint, he claimed common law rights to the name “Tucker Carlson”:
Complainant states that he is “an internationally famous television news anchor and author, most famous for his role as anchor of the eponymous televised newsmagazines Tucker (MSNBC) and Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered (PBS), as well as for his role as co-host of Crossfire (CNN).†Complainant states that his television debut came in 2000 as co-host of The Spin Room (PBS) and that he has also appeared on television as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars (ABC), the Tonight Show With Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Complainant states that his writings “are regularly featured†in Esquire, The Weekly Standard, The New Republic and The New York Times Magazine. And, Complainant states that he has appeared as an actor in various television shows and movies.
TuckerCarlson.com was registered in 2003. The domain points to a DomainSponsor parking page including links to “The Tucker Carlson Show” and “Tucker MSNBC”. The owner of the domain name used privacy protection to mask his identity.
In general, celebrities can win UDRP decisions if they are reasonably well known and if the corresponding domain name is being used for profit (ala Jerry Seinfeld). If it is being used for criticism, such as in the case of Jerry Falwell and typo Fallwell.com, domain owners have prevailed in disputes. Also, politician’s domain names are usually fair game if it is being used in a non-commercial manner.
David J Castello says
Here we go again. Why would anyone try to claim ownership of a well known personality’s name?
We all know that 80% of UDRP decisions end in the Complainant taking the name (and that 80% figure is bandied about to scare the daylights out of domain owners). But if you read the actual UDRP decisions, you’ll find that probably 90% of the names should have been handed over because they are names that most rational people wouldn’t try to covet.
Rob Sequin says
I’ve owned CubaGoodingJr.com since 2003 or so. I built a little fan site there and get an email from a fan now and then.
NEVER heard from anyone wanting the name though. Kind of sad really.
I also own several Miami politicians’ names(all of whom are running for re-election this year) that I use as a political protest and would love to be challenged on those.
Rob Sequin says
Oops. My point on the politicians’ names is that they are known for restricting Americans’ freedoms so if they try to take away my right to protest their behavior, they will have a very public fight on their hands.
Sorry to get so political but these three dummies get me fired up. (Has to do with US Cuba policy)
Andrew says
@ David – the owner didn’t even respond to the UDRP.