For people to be able to go to your website, you need to link it with a unique address on the internet - a domain name.  See Domain Names for more information.

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Buying Domain Names

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• Choose a domain name with a prefix (the bit before '.com' etc.) that is the same as/similar to your brand name and with an appropriate suffix: top level domains (eg '.com,' '.org,' '.uk,') may cost more than second level domains (eg '.co.uk,' .org.uk').  

 

• Try to buy before registering your company name or trade mark, to avoid being on the radar for 'cybersquatters' (see below).

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• Buy a domain name from a reputable domain name registrar - you may want one that can offer website design toolkits, server and email services (although see Websites below).

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Challenging Domain Name Ownership

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You may find that someone has already bought a domain name that uses your business or product name. 

 

• Unless they have a legitimate reason for doing so (for example a similar or identical business name), they could be 'cybersquatting' and you may be able to have the domain name cancelled or transferred to you.  

 

• You will need to show that you have rights in the relevant business name or trade mark, and show that the registration/use of the domain name in question by someone else is 'abusive' or made in 'bad faith', where the owner intended to take advantage of or be unfairly detrimental to your rights.

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Claims are usually made on the basis of relevant trade mark rights: engaging an intellectual property lawyer will help your chances.