August 25, 2000 03:28am
Madonna Fights For Internet Name
Source: AP
(GENEVA) -- Madonna is fighting for the Internet domain name madonna.com.
The singer has lodged a complaint with the United Nations, asking its World Intellectual Property Organization to order the handover of the site, owned by New Jersey entrepreneur Dan Parisi.
Anyone can register a domain name for a few dollars, which has led cybersquatters to file for famous names in order to make a fast buck - in some cases millions.
The WIPO system allows those who think they have the right to a domain to get it back without having to fight a costly legal battle.
Parisi previously used the Web site for pornographic material but has now removed it. He claims Madonna, whose full name is Madonna Ciccone, has no more right to the domain name than anyone else with the same name.
``We do not believe that because Ms. Ciccone named her act after the Virgin Mary that gives her the right to stop any other party from using the word 'madonna' as a title of their Web site,'' he said.
Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, said she thought the singer should fight for the domain name.
``She happens to be the most famous Madonna in the world, so I think she certainly has every right to try to protect a Web site called Madonna,'' she said.
The WIPO arbitrator is due to rule on the dispute in mid-September.
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