Internet Laws / Domain Names

DOMAIN NAME AND INTERNET LAW PRACTICE

• Searching for TLDs and ccTLDs
• Registration and renewal of Domain names.
• Maintenance of Domain name portfolio
• Litigations and Arbitration (before UDRP and Indian .in Registry)
• Domain Watching and monitoring.

Domain Name registration is the first step in the development of a Website. In simple terms, a Domain Name is a simple, easy to remember name for computers on the Internet. This Domain Name is a unique internet address assigned to each computer to connect with a remote Computer or a Server. It comprises of groups of alphanumeric characters separated by dots.

In this world of Internet it is imperative to register not only generic Top Level Domain Names (gTLD) such as .com, .net or .org but country code Domain Names too such as .in, .uk., .au etc. As imperative as Domain Name registration ay be, the process is simple. Domain Name registrations does not involve a long-drawn out specific procedure, examination, opposition etc. as in a trademark registration. Domain Name registration is generally an on the spot process. It is to be noted that:-

• Registration is on a First come-First serve basis.
• Registration is valid throughout the world.
• Registration of the same Domain with minor difference is possible.

  Domain Name system is administered by a World Authority called “Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ – ICANN. Registration is done online by few authorised Registration Authorities like www.networksolutions.com, www.register.com, www.registry.in and many others as approved by ICANN. As a result of the easy registration process, there is an increased abuse of the system of domain name registration. This includes the registration of Domain Names that are similar to the Domain Names/ Trade Marks of another. This phenomena is referred to as “Cybersquatting”. Cybersquatting also includes the registering and uploading of web sites giving or misrepresenting to the people as of the original goods/service providers. To resolve such improper registration, ICANN (has formulated a Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) whereby:

• Some of the organizations that have been authorized to resolve the disputes through the UDRP are the WIPO, The national Arbitration Forum, eResolution and CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution.