The substance of domain name law is closely related to the law of trademarks; but its form is quite different.
The domain name dispute procedure has been largely privatised by means of the Uniform Domain Name Disputes Resolution Policy (known as the UDRP) and related systems of domain name arbitration. The vast majority of domain name disputes are, as a result of this privatisation, decided through independent arbitration bodies such as the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre in Geneva, or the National Arbitration Forum in the US.
The starting point for research into questions of domain name law will largely depend upon the extension of the domain name in issue. Generic top-level domain disputes (i.e. those concerning .com, .net, .org etc., domains) are most commonly adjudicated under the UDRP. UK country code domain disputes (i.e. .uk disputes) are adjudicated through Nominet’s Dispute Resolution Service. Other countries have similar systems.
- Internet Library of Cybersquatting and Domain Name Disputes – An index of resources relating to domain name lawdisputes (opens a new window).
- Introduction to .uk domain disputes – The Website Law introduction to the .uk domain name dispute resolution procedure (opens a new window).
- Introduction to .eu domain disputes – The Website Law introduction to the .eu domain name dispute resolution procedure (opens a new window).
- Introduction to UDRP disputes – The Website Law introduction to domain name disputes adjudicated under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (such as .com disputes) (opens a new window).
- Domain name disputes glossary – The Website Law guide through the abbreviations and acronyms of the domain dispute system (opens a new window).
- Domain name disputes: expert tips – Tips for the conduct of DIY domain name disputes (opens a new window).
- Wikipedia on Cybersquatting – Currently a concise entry (opens a new window).
- Out-law: Domain Name Disputes – A uk-centric introduction to domain name disputes from London law firm Pinsent Masons (opens a new window).
- Bitlaw’s Guide to Domain Name Disputes – A brief introduction to domain names and domain name dispute (opens a new window).
Glossary: Ambush Marketing, Bait & Switch, Brand Name, Branding, Browser, Cloaking, Corporate Reputation, Cybersquatting, Decoy, Domain Name, Domain Name Registrar, High Level Domain, ICANN, Mask URL, Microsite, Nominet, Obfuscation, Phishing, Top Level Domain (TLD), Trademarks, Trust, URI, URL, URN, Whois