Legal Question in Technology Law in Illinois

Shared name as Domain name

My name, as well as the name of thousands of others, is currently a domain name. I do not have a problem with the name being used. I do however take exception to the content. I do not want my name associated with gay porn or any promotion of an alternative lifestyle. I am not against these things but my name is my mark in life. Do I have any recourse?


Asked on 8/29/01, 11:19 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bruce Burdick Burdick Law Firm

Re: Shared name as Domain name

I think you probably have no legal recourse, other than change your name, which I doubt is an option for you. Free speech trumps your marginal defamation claim based on shared name. If it gets to be a problem for you, you might set up a site such as www.ImNotThatJohnDoe.com (substituting for JohnDoe, of course, your name)and refer people to it. That way you could put a long explanation on the site and let the site do the detail work every time you want to explain. You do not need a lawyer on the matter, just common sense and ingenuity.

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Answered on 9/18/01, 3:29 am


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