| With domain name articles and tips floating around all | | | | the corresponding company name. The reason for |
| over the Web, most people probably feel that they | | | | this is that a trademark on a business name doesn't |
| know a good deal about picking and protecting a | | | | give you exclusive access to use that name. It only |
| domain name. However, some common domain name | | | | gives you exclusive access to use that name for the |
| myths persist. Let's debunk a few. | | | | particular products and / or services that you offer. |
| Myth: Once I register a domain, I can use it forever. | | | | Going back to our above example, let's say Microsoft |
| Fact: While it's possible that you'll keep your | | | | forgot to renew their registration on Microsoft.net. |
| registered domain name forever, it's not guaranteed. | | | | While they could sue another computer manufacturer |
| Several things can happen that would cause you to | | | | or software company for registering the domain |
| lose your domain name. First, you have to register | | | | name without question, let's assume it's registered by |
| your domain name each year (or register it for | | | | a small company making microfiber-covered sofas |
| multiple years up front) in order to keep your access | | | | and other furniture. The name makes sense - 'micro' |
| to it. If you forget to renew your registration, you | | | | as an abbreviation for microfiber, and 'soft' because |
| could lose your domain name, or someone else can | | | | it's a very soft fabric. That company has every right |
| register it and charge you a huge fee to have it | | | | to use the company name Microsoft, and they would |
| transferred back to your name. Second, you could | | | | own the trademark for that company name as it |
| lose your domain name in a trademark dispute. | | | | applies to the products they sell. Because of that, |
| Myth: My domain name is automatically trademarked, | | | | Microsoft couldn't do anything to get their .net |
| so no one else can ever use it or anything too similar | | | | domain name back except offering to buy it outright. |
| to it (such as with other extensions). | | | | Myth: A domain is only worth registering if you can |
| Fact: A domain name cannot be trademarked in the | | | | get the .com version. |
| US! It also isn't protected by a copyright. However, if | | | | Fact: Many web sites have been successful using |
| your business' name is trademarked before anyone | | | | .net, .org, and country-specific domain extensions. |
| else is using it, then you could sue if someone | | | | Don't reject an otherwise good domain name just |
| registered a domain name using your business name | | | | because the .com extension isn't available. If you're |
| (or a common misspelling) to sell products or services | | | | setting up a domain name based on keywords, a .net |
| that are extremely similar to your own. For instance, | | | | or .org shouldn't make too much of a difference. If |
| if someone else ever tried to register something like | | | | you're selling products or services to only residents |
| Microsoft.net, or even microsort.net, for the purpose | | | | of your country, a country-specific domain extension |
| of selling computers and software, Microsoft could | | | | could prove to be quite profitable for you, as it tells |
| sue them to stop them from using the domain name. | | | | your target market that you're specifically selling to |
| This is to stop scammers and competitors from | | | | them. |
| trying to profit off of a trademarked name. In some | | | | Myth: You should never use dashes in a domain |
| countries, you can't even register a domain with their | | | | name. |
| country-specific extension unless you own the | | | | Fact: While including dashes in a domain name isn't |
| trademark there for that business name. | | | | ideal, it also shouldn't be forbidden. Dashes make it |
| Myth: If I own the trademark for my company's | | | | harder to market your domain name via word of |
| name, I automatically have the right to register my | | | | mouth, but they can be very effective if you're |
| company's name as a domain name. | | | | determined to use a keyword-rich domain name for a |
| Fact: You do not, in fact, have the right to register | | | | general content site, if the version without the |
| any domain name, even if you have a trademark on | | | | dashes isn't available. |