Domain Names 1

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	Domain names

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is simply an address that will enable a third party to access a particular site on the World Wide Web. As domain names do not have to be simply numeric, it is possible to adopt a domain name that consists of or includes a trade mark. However, a domain name should not be confused with a trade mark, especially when it comes to the question of registration of these names.

Should I register my Trade Mark as a Domain Name?

If you do not intend to use your trade mark as your domain name then there is no real purpose in registering the trade mark as a domain name. If you do intend to use your trade mark as your domain name then the answer is, yes!

However, it is more important to have your trade mark registered in the countries where you are trading.

Should I register my Domain Name as a Trade Mark?

Quite simply, yes! However, we would only advise including the designation ".com" or ".co.uk", for example, if you are genuinely using the entire domain name as a trade mark. If the domain name is used solely as the address of the web site, we would recommend only registering the distinctive element of the domain name i.e. "marks-clerk" and not "marks-clerk.com".