Click Here(May 12, 2005)
*Thanks to an arbitrator’s ruling on Tuesday, folks trying to access the Internet address www.morganfreeman.com will now get the frustrating “Cannot Find Server” page instead of a site that has nothing whatsoever to do with the actor. Arbitrator Peter Nitter’s decision gives the actor control of his own domain name, which had been registered by a company named Mighty LLC "for its commercial benefit to lure Internet users to its Web site," says Nitter. Cybersquatters, as these companies have come to be known, purchase celebrity domain names for pennies and either take advantage of its popularity by directing commercial traffic to their sites, or demand thousands of dollars from those wanting to control their names. In 1999, the UN ruled the practice a form of blackmail and began an arbitration system through which people can petition the use of their domain name without spending large amounts of money. So far, arbitrators for the World Intellectual Property Organization have won back domain names for Julia Roberts, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Eminem, Pamela Anderson, Spike Lee and Pierce Brosnan. 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. ------------------------------------
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