Domain Name Disputes: What is the Issue All About?

To understand domain name disputes, it is essential to be aware of what exactly domain name implies. Every computer has a separate IP address, which is not very convenient for the user to remember. For easy recall and identity, the concept of domain name was introduced. It is uniquely identifiable and user friendly. To own a domain name, one should get it registered. The internet domain name is equivalent to the address of the specific website which can be accessed from anywhere with the help of the internet. Example: www.google.com.

Domain Name Disputes: Why The Conflicts Arise?

The domain name disputes arise due to the absence of law connecting the trademark with the domain name. You may be wondering what a trademark is, right? A trademark is a unique symbol, logo, sign, name, word or image used by a company, person or legal organization. It has legal value and is unique to someone who registers it. A trademark is restricted by national boundaries.

A consumer identifies the product or services of a company by its trademark. Example: Coca Cola.  However, in the online world, these laws governing trademarks are a misfit. The constraints that apply for registration of trademarks are different from registration of domain names. The registration of a domain name is free. This motivates many people to give their domain name the same identity as popular trademarks as it attracts the attention of the consumers instantly.

Dispute arises, when the company decides to launch a website using of its trademark and finds it to be already taken by someone else. The consumer gets confused and the domain owner gets the unfair advantage of the goodwill of the company as the consumer is unaware of the fact that domain owner and company are separate.

Suppose you have a popular brand called YOU and you want to launch a website with the same name but you find that it has already been taken by somebody else. The beginning of domain dispute starts there.