Freeman Is Master of His Domain (Name)
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) -
Morgan Freeman, who recently won the supporting actor Oscar for "Million Dollar Baby," has triumphed over a cybersquatter seeking to trade on his good name.
Arbitrators for the World Intellectual Property Organization ruled on Tuesday, May 10 that the actor will now have control over the Internet domain name www.morganfreeman.com, reports the AP.
Mighty LLC, the company that registered that name, used it "for its commercial benefit to lure Internet users to its Web site," says arbitrator Peter Nitter.
Freeman also registered his name with the Screen Actors Guild in 1964 and is awaiting an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark his name.
The actor is one of many celebrities who have won back their domain names through United Nations arbitration, including Julia Roberts, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Eminem, Pamela Anderson, Spike Lee and Pierce Brosnan.
Since domain names can be purchased for a pittance, cybersquatters have tried to take advantage by directing commercial traffic to these misleading sites or demanding thousands of dollars from those wanting to control their names. In 1999, the UN ruled this a form of blackmail and began an arbitration system through which people can petition the use of their domain name without shelling out large amounts of money.
Freeman has also been nominated for his roles in "Street Smart," "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Shawshank Redemption." He next stars in "Unleashed," which hits theaters Friday, May 13 and in the upcoming "Batman Begins," which will be released Wednesday, June 15.
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) -
Morgan Freeman, who recently won the supporting actor Oscar for "Million Dollar Baby," has triumphed over a cybersquatter seeking to trade on his good name.
Arbitrators for the World Intellectual Property Organization ruled on Tuesday, May 10 that the actor will now have control over the Internet domain name www.morganfreeman.com, reports the AP.
Mighty LLC, the company that registered that name, used it "for its commercial benefit to lure Internet users to its Web site," says arbitrator Peter Nitter.
Freeman also registered his name with the Screen Actors Guild in 1964 and is awaiting an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark his name.
The actor is one of many celebrities who have won back their domain names through United Nations arbitration, including Julia Roberts, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Eminem, Pamela Anderson, Spike Lee and Pierce Brosnan.
Since domain names can be purchased for a pittance, cybersquatters have tried to take advantage by directing commercial traffic to these misleading sites or demanding thousands of dollars from those wanting to control their names. In 1999, the UN ruled this a form of blackmail and began an arbitration system through which people can petition the use of their domain name without shelling out large amounts of money.
Freeman has also been nominated for his roles in "Street Smart," "Driving Miss Daisy" and "The Shawshank Redemption." He next stars in "Unleashed," which hits theaters Friday, May 13 and in the upcoming "Batman Begins," which will be released Wednesday, June 15.
