Congress is said to be close on a deal that would let celebrities stop cybersquatters from using their names to lure Web surfers.
Reuters says that, if it passes and is signed into law, the bill would give celebrity names the same protections online as trademark company names. Major studios have, in fact, pushed for the bill, since they want to be certain their trademark status is extended to the Internet.
California Democrat Howard Berman tells Reuters he was very hopeful a final deal had been reached, but he was wary of last minute disagreements scuttling it. Other sources tell Reuters the bill still needs the approval of the House leadership, but a vote was expected as early as Tuesday.
The Senate has passed a similar bill, and the final bill is expected to include a provision to protect famous names.
Some celebrities have gone through lengthy, expensive trademarking processes to protect their names, Reuters says, but trademark attorneys tell the news wire that's not uncommon.
This protection, celebrities' representatives and those who report on them say, is also needed to keep adult Web sites from exploiting mainstream celebrities to lure traffic - as happened recently with figure skating star Nancy Kerrigan, among others.
