A domain name is basically a unique word or group of words that help people associate a website with a brand or person. It is also referred to as Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), which are used to find websites. It matters a lot for an individual or company that struggles to make an international reputation. Choosing a domain can be challenging, as it represents the organization or a person, and it must be accessible.
Usually, domains are into two parts or levels, Top and Second. For instance, in www.Youtube.com, “.com” is the top-level domain, and “YouTube” is the second-level domain. It is possible to acquire such domains from a licensed registrar for a short period of time. However, you cannot buy already registered domains until they expire. Such situations can cause domain name disputes.
Domain name dispute process
These conflicts typically include the domain name registrant and a third party who wants to dispute the registration. For example, an existing company with a well-recognized name files a dispute over the use of its name as a website domain by another person. In such a situation, the organization or an individual must file a complaint with the appropriate service provider to challenge the registration.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, published an interim specification for GTLD (generic top-level domains) registration data in 2018 to help clarify the guidelines for domain name disputes. According to them, In order to contest for a domain name based on trademark ownership, some new rules and regulations must be followed. However, a dispute must can be solve by the following three methods.
- Settlement between two parties.
- Court ruling.
- The arbitration process’ conclusion.
Not following any of the methods can result in domain cancellation.