DOMAIN NAMES :

Domain names are the human-friendly form of Internet addresses. A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website. For example, the domain name of the Tech Terms Computer Dictionary is “techterms.com.” Each website has a domain name that serves as an address, which is used to access the website.

Whenever we visit a website, the domain name appears in the address bar of the web browser. Some domain names are preceded by “www” (which is not part of the domain name), while others omit the “www” prefix. All domain names have a domain suffix, such as .com, .net, or .org. The domain suffix helps identify the type of website the domain name represents. For example, “.com” domain names are typically used by commercial website, while “.org” websites are often used by non-profit organizations. Some domain names end with a country code, such as “.dk” (Denmark) or “.se” (Sweden), which helps identify the location and audience of the website

When we access a website, the domain name is actually translated to an IP address, which defines the server where the website located. This translation is performed dynamically by a service called (DNS). Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System (DNS). Technically, any name registered in the DNS is a domain name.

It is common-place fortraders to have their electronic mail address and use the same in respect of their goods /services as trade name. In other words the domain name is being used as a trade name or trade mark, and the Registrar will, subject to the usual criteria of the Act, permit domain names to be registered as trade marks if otherwise registerable.

Elements of the domain name such as “.com” or “.co.in” are considered to be totally non-distinctive, much in the same way as “Ltd” and “Plc”. As a general rule, one should consider whether the remainder of the mark is descriptive or non-distinctive; if so, there is likely to be an objection under Section 9(1)(a) of the Act.