Meaning Of Domain Name and Trademark: Understanding the Conflict
- NLR Journal
- Jul 16
- 1 min read
By Dr. Namah Dutta, Assistant Professor of Law, Chandigarh Law College, Punjab.*
Abstract
Trademarks and domain names are essential for creating and safeguarding brand identities in the digital era. While a trademark legally protects a brand's distinctive identifiers, such names, logos, or slogans, a domain name acts as a website's address, directing people to online locations. When domain names mimic or closely resemble already-existing trademarks, they may cause confusion for consumers and reduce the value of the brand. This is where these two factors can collide. Cybersquatting, in which people maliciously register domain names that are identical or similar to well-known trademarks with the intention of making money by reselling them to their original owners, is one practice that frequently leads to conflicts. While reverse domain name hijacking occurs when trademark holders try to take domains away from lawful owners without a valid reason, typo squatting is the practice of registering misspelled copies of well-known domain names in order to redirect traffic. Such disagreements have the potential to damage brand reputations and undermine customer trust. Businesses navigating the online realm must comprehend the differences between trademarks and domain names. Conflicts can be avoided with proactive steps like trademark registration and domain registration monitoring. Resolving infringement complaints through recognized legal frameworks guarantees the preservation of customer trust and brand integrity.
Keywords: Domain Name, Trademark, Cybersquatting, Typo squatting, Reverse Domain Name Hijacking, UDRP, ICANN, Brand Protection, Legal Dispute, Online Identity.
* Assistant Professor of Law, Chandigarh Law College, Chandigarh Group Of Colleges, Jhanjeri, Mohali, Punjab.
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