Domain Name

A domain name refers to the alphanumeric name of a web site used on the Internet. A domain name is typically designed to be easy to remember and using words or terms that the public will associate with a specific product or service. The words may include the name of an individual or company. Often that name is one that consumers recognize based on the goodwill that individual or company has established previously through advertising and word of mouth.

The individual or entity obtains a given domain name by registering it with a domain name registrar. Registration of a domain name to an individual or entity allows them to establish a web site at that domain name location, which the public can then access to learn more about the entity's products or services, purchase those products or services, or read whatever other information the domain name owner believes is relevant.

Domain names have become increasingly involved in trademark law when it comes to cases of cyberpiracy, where someone registers a domain name with a name similar to that of another person or company, thereby leading the public to believe there is an affiliation between the similar web site and the legitimate web site.