A domain name is a unique address on the Internet that identifies a website and makes it easier to access. It replaces a complex IP address with a simple, memorable name. A domain name consists of two main parts:
- the second-level domain name, which serves as the unique identifier for the company or organization
- the top-level domain or extension (e.g., .com, .org, .fr), which indicates the site’s type or geographical area.
Domain names are registered with registrars, intermediaries between users and the authorities that manage top-level domains, such as ICANN for generic domains or national authorities for country domains.
The domain name may be protected by trademark law if the chosen name is distinctive and used to identify a company or its products and services.
Conflicts may arise when a third party registers a domain name similar to an existing trademark, constituting cybersquatting (the practice of registering domain names with the intent to resell them to interested companies). Resolution mechanisms exist for these disputes, such as ICANN’s UDRP procedure or AFNIC’s Syreli, which allow disputes to be settled without going to court.