The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing a case about a domain name critical of Rev. Jerry Falwell. A lower court decided that the domain Fallwell.com was basically trademark infringement.
Celebrities usually win rights to their domain names and variations thereof. But politicians do not–sites critical of politicians are generally considered free speech. I’d say the main issue in this case is whether Falwell is a celebrity or politician. He is certainly more a political advocate than a clebrity.
If the appeals court does not overturn the prior court’s ruling, it could have far reaching implications as politicans try to re-fight their cases.
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