Domain Names Flashcards
What is a domain name?
Website name
Allows users to access your website (domain name = stand in for the IP address of a website)
Sub domains appear before the root domain e.g www.
HTTPS://
Owner of domain has added either SSL or TLS certificate which secures communication and data transfer (extra protection)
What is a gTld?
Generic top level domains which are non country specific top level domains e.g .com, .net, .info
What is a ccTLD?
Country code top level domains refer to a specific country, territory or sovereign state, .co.uk, .fr, .de, .za
What are sponsored Tld’s?
Specialized tld’s which provide options outside of commonly used domain suffixes e.g .academy, .adult, .bingo
Quite expensive
Sponsored/managed by third parties
Registrant, Registrar, Registry
Registrant - person(s) or Organisation that registers and owns the domain name. Domains are managed via a Registrar who contacts registry to apply for the domain. Registrant cannot contact Registry themselves.
Registrar - company that manages the domain on behalf of the Registrant. Registrar must be accredited by gTLD or a ccTLD Registry. They have direct access to Registries and act as middle man between Registrant and Registry to purchase and renew any domains.
Registry - database of all domain names and associated information (registrant. Admin contact, technical contact etc). A registry operative is sometimes referred to as a NIC which maintains all admin data of domain,
How to register domain name?
Domains usually on a first come/first serve basis
Exceptions
Sunrise period - set time during which TM holder may pre-register names that are the same/similar to their marks
Land rush - set time between sunrise and general availability where domain name available to register to a closed group that do not own a TM with the string but wish to register
Registering domain applied for via Registrar, need details of the String/TLD, and Registrant and Admin Contact Details
Costs dependent on registries, typically online portal to manage
What are some restrictions when it comes to domain names?
Some countries require that Registrant and/or admin contact must sit in that country I.e for certain TLD’s, or that the Registrant applying for the domain name has a TM that matches the string
Can domain names be transferred?
Yes often happens when TMs acquired
Registrar will provide Registry with transfer requirements
- transfer gTLD’s - requires domain to be unlocked and Registrar providing Registry with authorization code
- transfer ccTLD’s - differs registry to registry
How are domain names renewed?
Terms differ and generally will renew domains annually (some companies have set their domains to auto-renew)
If domain lapses -
Grace period - deletion period (changes with each Registry) If domain not renewed then available for third parties to register
Domain dispute resolution
Available in most countries but does differ
Can be used to resolve disputes between a domain name Registrant and third party over registration and use of a domain name
Dispute resolution cheaper and faster way to resolve disputes - combat cyber squatting
What is cyber squatting?
Refers to parties buying up domain names with the intent to sell those domains for profit
What is the official UK domain name Registry?
Nominet - deals with disputes for .co.uk and .uk domain
What is UDRP?
Uniform dispute resolution process - process where complainant files a complaint with WIPO where a dispute has arisen from the abusive registration of a domain name e.g cybersquatting or bad faith and there is no legitimate reason for registrant to own the name
Once complaint filed with WIPO there is an appointment of an administrative Panel (1 or 3 people) who will decide dispute. Decision.
Then any relevant action e.g cancellation or transfer of domain name
What is TMCH?
Trade mark clearing house
Database of validated registered trade marks
TM owner can submit their TM information into a centralized database (documentation required usually a copy of registration and certificate and use of the mark)
Enables Tm owners to register domains related to TMs in the database during sunrise period
