Forget the ".com"
When you are selecting a domain name or registering a federal trademark for your domain name, keep in mind that the designations like "http://" or "www" have no significance in trademark law. Similarly, the Top Level Domain (TLD) like ".com," ".net," ".org," ".ca," ".biz," etc, will not be part of a registered trademark. These designations are common to all domain names.
For example, if your website uses the domain name http://www.mydomainname.com, you would apply for a trademark only for "My Domain Name," without the other URL designations.
- Introduction
- Domain Names as Trademarks
- When is a Domain Name a Trademark?
- Forget the ".com"
- Distinctiveness
- Identify Your Products and Services
- What Trademarks Protect
- Benefits of Trademark Registration
- If You Don't Register
- Acquiring Trademark Rights
- Use in Commerce
- Intent to Use
- Trademark Search
- Why Trademark Search
- Electronic Filing
- Registration Refusal
- Post-Registration
- Trademark Infringement
- Cybersquatting
- Non-Infringing Use
