Legal & Policy

Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA)

US federal law enabling trademark owners to sue over bad-faith domain registrations and recover damages.

Reverse Domain Name Hijacking (RDNH)

A finding that a trademark owner filed a domain dispute complaint abusively to seize a legitimately owned domain.

WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center

The leading international arbitration body administering UDRP and other domain name dispute resolution procedures.

Forum (NAF) Domain Dispute Resolution

An ICANN-accredited arbitration provider offering UDRP and URS domain dispute resolution services.

UDRP Panelist Decision

A written ruling by UDRP arbitrators determining whether a domain should be transferred, cancelled, or retained.

Bad Faith Registration

Registration or use of a domain with intent to exploit another's trademark for financial gain or to cause harm.

Legitimate Interest (UDRP Defense)

A UDRP defense demonstrating the domain owner has genuine rights or a fair-use purpose for the domain.

Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH)

ICANN's centralized database enabling trademark holders to protect their marks across new TLD launches.

Sunrise Period (Trademark Protection)

A pre-launch window giving trademark holders priority to register matching domains in a new TLD before the public.

Government Domain Seizure

The lawful confiscation of a domain name by government authorities for use in illegal activity.

Court-Ordered Domain Transfer

A judicial order compelling a registrar to transfer a domain name to the winning party in a lawsuit.

Free Speech and Domain Names

The legal principle that genuine criticism or commentary domains may qualify as protected expression in dispute proceedings.

Parody and Criticism Domains

Domains used for satire or criticism of a brand, potentially protected by free speech but subject to trademark limits.

Privacy Laws Affecting Domain Registration

Data protection regulations such as GDPR that restrict public access to registrant personal data in WHOIS records.

WHOIS Accuracy Requirements

ICANN's requirement that registrars collect and maintain truthful registrant contact information, subject to privacy law constraints.

Registrant Rights and Responsibilities

The contractual and legal rights a domain holder holds, alongside obligations such as WHOIS accuracy and lawful use.

Contract Law in Domain Transactions

The body of contract law governing domain name sales, purchases, leases, and the obligations of buyers and sellers.

Cross-Border Domain Legal Issues

The legal complexities arising when domain name disputes, seizures, or regulatory requirements span multiple national jurisdictions.

Domain Name Inheritance and Estate Planning

The transfer of domain name ownership to heirs upon the owner's death, requiring specific estate planning provisions.

Tax Implications of Domain Ownership and Sales

The tax treatment of domain name assets, including capital gains on sales, amortization of acquired domains, and deductibility of fees.