Guidelines for Registering a

Domain Name as a Trademark

TRADEMARKS GENERALLY

Types of Trademarks

Scope of Protection

Trademark Rights

Quick Facts

DOMAIN NAMES AS TRADEMARKS

The Rule

Examples

In Practice

Policy

SPECIAL ISSUES WITH DOMAIN NAMES

Surnames

Descriptiveness

Generic Refusals

Geographic Marks

Disclaimers

Phonetic Equivalent of a TLD

Miscellaneous Challenges Specific to Domain Names

INFRINGEMENT

Likelihood of Confusion

Dilution

Defenses to Infringement

REFUSAL OF REGISTRATION

Sources:

- Ginsburg, Jane C., Litman, Jessica, & Kevlin, Mary L., Trademark and Unfair Competition Law, (Foundation Press, 3^rd ed.) (2001).

- In re William H. Eilberg, 49 U.S.P.Q.2d (1955), available at http://www1.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/foia/ttab/other/1998/75162788.pdf.

- Trademark Act §2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1).

- Trademark Act §2(e)(4), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(4).

- Trademark Act §2(f), 15 U.S.C. §1052(f).

- United States Department of Commerce, Examination Guide No. 2-99 (1999), available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/tac/notices/guide299.htm.

- Zuckman, Harvey L., Corn-Revere, Robert L., Frieden, Robert M., Kennedy, Charles H., Modern Communication Law, (West Group) (1999).

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