Can I buy and use an available Domain name that's copyrighted?

[weaknwimpy]

A few weeks ago, I searched up a name that I know is copyrighted. It is being used on YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr and in these domain names .com, .net, .tv, .org, .me and a few others. There are still a few domain names available like .co, .cc, and .asia.

If I bought one of these domain names and use it, can the owner of that name get my website taken down using a copyright infringement claim as an excuse?
Official Christopher Baker - Then why do they make it available and allow people to buy it?

[296]

Not only could they have it "taken down" but they could sue you in civil court and probably win.

[bcnu]

Names are not copyrighted.

If you were to register such a name and attempt to use it for trademark infringement, there are steps the trademark owners can use to stop you.

If you were to register it and use it for something unrelated to their business, it's unlikely they could do much about it.

Domain names are not trademarks; domain names are globally unique internet address identifiers. Trademarks are generally only of local significance (geographically or by market channels). If a trademark is also a registered domain, it gets the benefits of both types of rules.

As for your silly question about "why do they allow people to buy it?" that's like asking why they sell cars capable of going over the speed limit? Or why they sell plumbing fixtures if you need a license to install it?