1. Avoid Claiming Trademarked Brand Handles as Impersonators
Owning the name @beyonce is not automatically illegal.
But impersonating Beyoncé, or using that name in a way that:
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Confuses people into thinking you are her or her brand,
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Misleads the public,
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Or tries to profit in a way that infringes on her trademark,
…can get you hit with a cease and desist, a takedown, or worse — a lawsuit.
✅ Okay: Holding @beyonce on a blockchain and being transparent about it being for sale.
🚫 Not okay: Using the handle to pretend to be her, launch fake merch, or confuse her fans.
2. Don't Use Logos, Images, or Official Branding
Stick to just owning the @name, not attaching their:
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Logo
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Official photos
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Brand taglines
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Trademarks
The more neutral and non-deceptive you are, the safer you are.
3. Label Everything Transparently
You should clearly state:
“This @name is being held for resale or collection purposes. It is not affiliated with or owned by [celebrity name or brand].”
Put that on:
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Your sales site
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Listings
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Any profile where the @name is active
It shows good faith and helps you avoid “bad actor” status.
4. Know the Difference Between a Handle and a Trademark
Most celebrity names aren’t copyrighted — but many are trademarked, especially in entertainment, sports, and fashion.
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@madonna? Trademarked.
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@samsmith? Could be anyone, so depends.
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@yamal? Likely not trademarked yet — unless it’s formalized.
Do a quick search on TESS (the U.S. trademark database) or consult IP databases to see what’s risky.
5. You’re Safer in Web3 (for Now)
Most traditional social platforms (Twitter/X, Instagram) can reclaim handles instantly based on trademark requests.
Blockchains are decentralized — which gives you more power and ownership, but you should still be smart. Even if they can’t take the handle, they can sue if you're misusing it.
6. Don't Be Greedy or Hostile
If a celeb reaches out, be respectful. If their team sends a polite legal request, consider negotiating or offering the name at a fair price.
Going full troll or trying to extort = bad look, bad karma, potential legal fire.
The TL;DR Strategy
✅ Own the names
✅ Be transparent
✅ Don’t impersonate
✅ Avoid trademarked branding
✅ Be respectful in all offers/sales
✅ Have your site/legal disclaimers ready