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16 June 2009

Facebook Username Update

Facebook began allocating user-friendly usernames to applicants on 13 June, 2009. Initially, only Facebook accounts which had been set up before 9 June could have usernames. All other accounts will be eligible for usernames from 28 June.

A username must be at least 5 characters long and is made up of the alphanumeric characters A-Z and 0-9. Certain generic words such as "flowers" and "pizza" are not available. The Facebook guidelines on usernames state that "your username should be as close as possible to your true name (e.g. Jsmith or John.Smith)". However, this is not mandatory and no checks are made by Facebook before allocating usernames, with one exception: Facebook permitted trade mark owners to reserve their trade marks (preventing them from being adopted as usernames) before launch on 13 June, 2009 by submitting a form. This procedure has now closed. Despite this, there have been many reports of users adopting usernames which do not resemble their real names (for example, Prince Charles, Girls Aloud and George Bush).

Each Facebook account can only have one username. It cannot be varied or changed and usernames cannot be transferred to others. If a Facebook account is closed, the username is not made available to others. Therefore, infringers do not have the same potential for profit as with domain names. The only way to transfer usernames would be to transfer the attached Facebook account. This is prohibited by the Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities without written permission from Facebook. In any event, it is unlikely that most Facebook users would want to "trade" their Facebook identity in this way. Of course, once usernames are open to new accounts, this may become an issue.

Trade mark owners can notify Facebook of usernames which infringe their trade marks or indeed, content which infringes trade marks, copyright or other rights. Facebook retains the right to remove or reclaim usernames.

Please let us know if you have any concerns about usernames which have been adopted or if you have further queries.