August 6th, 2009 at 12:47pm
Under trademark law
When you’re ready to launch your web site and you’re trying to select a good domain name, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration.
Select a Domain Name that Reflects Your Web Site
Above all else, your domain name should reflect what your web site is all about. For example, if your web site is about grooming a dog, you certainly wouldn’t want to select a domain name like ‘mybusinessname.com,’ as this would have nothing to do with your web site’s focus. You would want to select a domain name that tells the world what your web site is all about — something like ‘doggrooming.com.’
Select a Domain Name that Contains Your Web Site’s Keywords
Another consideration of great importance are your keywords. Try to select a domain name that contains your most relevant keyword phrase, as some Search Engines place relevancy on them. A keyword phrase is two or more words that best describe your web page. If your web page is focusing on grooming a dog, your best keyword phrase will be “dog grooming.”
Select a Domain Name that will be Easily Remembered
With millions of web sites accessible on the Internet, it is also very important to select a domain name that will be easily remembered. As in the ‘doggrooming.com’ example above, ‘doggrooming.com’ is very easily remembered, contains the most relevant keyword phrase and describes the web site in explicit detail. It is the ‘perfect’ domain name for this particular web site.
Select the Best Domain Extension
Another consideration of importance is the domain name extension. Although there are many new domain extensions available, dotcom is still the best choice. When typing in a web address, Internet users automatically want to type in a .com extension, as this is the extension that has been embedded into our brains from the start.
Avoid Using Numbers in Your Domain Name
Although you may be tempted to do so, avoid using numbers within your domain name. Including a number within your domain name can cause problems, as when you tell someone your web address, you will continually have to tell them it’s a number and not the word. For example, if you selected a domain name like number1host.com, if you were to tell someone your web address, they may try to type it as ‘numberonehost.com’ instead of ‘number1host.com.’ This type of domain name would cause confusion.
Avoid using Dashes and Underscores in Your Domain Name
Although many people do it, don’t make the same mistake I made when I first started out. Avoid using dashes, underscores or any other characters within your domain name that may cause confusion. When I registered my domain name, Web-Source.net, I actually wanted websource.com; however, it had already been registered. So, I settled for Web-Source.net. Now, when I tell someone my domain name, I have to say it like this: web dash source dot net.
Don’t get me wrong, www.Web-Source.net is now a high traffic web site, but I can only imagine how much traffic I’ve lost over the years due to my domain name. I have received many emails over the years from visitors who had a hard time finding my site. They said they couldn’t remember the domain name and kept wanting to type in websource.com.
Avoid using Abbreviations within Your Domain Name
Although well-known companies, such as IBM, can get away with using abbreviations within their domain name, most companies can’t. As a rule, try to avoid using abbreviations or anything that will be difficult for your visitors to remember. Not only will this cause confusion, but it can also cause your potential visitors to make spelling mistakes when trying to type in your web address.
Avoid using Long Domain Names
Although you may now register long domain names, it’s really not a good idea. I learned this lesson the hard way. I registered ‘www.workfromhomebusinessguide.com’ and the sad thing is … I can’t remember the domain name half the time. How can I expect my potential visitors to remember it? Try to keep your domain name as short as possible. The longer the domain name the harder it is to remember and the more apt your potential visitors are to make a typo when typing it into their browser.
Ensure Your Domain Name is Not a Trademark Infringement
Prior to registering a domain name, you may want to consider searching the Trademark Electronic Search System, http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm to ensure your potential domain name isn’t infringing on any trademarks.
Please don’t take this point lightly, as trademark infringement could cost you your entire business. It is your responsibility to ensure that your potential domain name doesn’t infringe on any registered trademarks, as the trademark laws that apply in the hard copy world also apply on the Internet. Any company that registers a trademark has the right to protect their trademark and has the right to notify you that your domain name is infringing upon their trademark.
When you’re ready to begin, create a list of a dozen or more potential domain names, as chances are, your first choice will already be taken. With any luck, one of the domain names on your list will be available.
Take your time and select a quality domain name that will grow with your business. It will be well-worth your time and effort in the long run.
http://www.freerfidcourse.com;rfid how it works
By Copyright Law
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:42am
Under trademark law
A mark is simply something that identifies your products or services to consumers. Classic examples of this include âcoca colaâ, the Nike Swoosh and many others. When you see one of these marks, you immediately identify them with the company and product in question. In legal terms, the mark is indicative of a certain quality of products or services.
When coming up with your mark, you have to be careful. Not everything can be trademarked. For instance, âGoogleâ is unique and clearly something that can be trademarked. When you see the Google logo, you know it refers to a search engine that allows people to find things on the web. Now, what if Google was instead called âsearch engine?â The phrase is already commonly used and associated with other sites providing search functions for consumers. As a result, it cannot be trademarked.
So, why does all of this matter. Try to look into the future for your business. What if you become a huge success? Remember, Microsoft started with a couple of people and so did Google. You could be the next one. That being said, what if you âgo bigâ with a mark that cannot be trademarked? Other businesses will be able to use your mark! If you want to talk about a business disaster, this is it.
Imagine if Google could not be trademarked. Every other search engine could use the term in their marketing and on their web pages. This would cause massive confusion among consumers. More importantly, those consumers would be diverted to competitors of Google. Do you think that would hurt Googleâs bottom line? You bet.
When starting a business, try to use distinct names and logos that are not common place. Get your trademarks. As the business grows, consumers will come to know your mark and identify it with your product or service. This, of course, is the key to getting them to come back and buy from you.
By Copyright Law
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:44am
Under trademark law
A trademark is a consumer oriented thing. While it protects the intellectual property of businesses, it is a legal step designed to protect consumers. The basic idea is a trademark should point to a particular product or service and only be used by the company backing those items. This helps consumers in two ways. First, it represents an assurance of a particular type of quality associated with the products or services provided by the company. Second, it precludes other companies from causing consumer confusion by infringing on that mark.
When it comes to your business name, you can trademark it if certain requirements are met. I am going to avoid the legal mumbo jumbo that confuses people, and stick with a general rule of thumb. If you use your business name in advertising or on the product or service, you can trademark it. A classic example is “Google”. Google is both a company name and used on the service itself. When you go to the home page of Google, you see “Google” prominently displayed. As a result, this business name can be trademarked.
If you do not use your business name in a direct communication to consumers, you cannot trademark it. Why? Well, there is nothing distinct about it that reminds consumers of the connect. TJMaxx is a well-known discount retail store. Most people have at least heard of the name. The company behind the name, however, is actually TJCos. Nobody has heard of “TJCos” and certainly do not associate it with a store. As a result, this business name would be difficult to trademark, if not impossible.
If your name is going to be a fundamental part of your marketing effort, you should consider trademarking it. If it is not, then your probably should save your money. Obviously, each situation is different, so make sure you speak with legal counsel in your area.
By Copyright Law
July 18th, 2009 at 04:25pm
Under trademark law
Would a website called “I hate Dell” be in violation of copyright laws?
The websites primary use would be to express the opinions of visitors and the owner throught their submissions (forum or otherwise).
BTW: I have nothing against dell, I am just using them as an example.
By Copyright Law Enquirer
July 18th, 2009 at 10:26am
Under trademark law
If someone used that would they be violating any trademark laws, LOL
By Copyright Law Enquirer
July 17th, 2009 at 10:26am
Under trademark law
I want to use the word FICO in my company’s domain name (example – www.ficosRcool.com) but it is a registered trademark. I know that I cannot use the trademark in my company’s name but am I breaking trademark law by using the word FICO in my domain?
Thanks guys!
By Copyright Law Enquirer
July 17th, 2009 at 10:26am
Under trademark law
I want to use the word FICO in my company’s domain name (example – www.ficosRcool.com) but it is a registered trademark. I know that I cannot use the trademark in my company’s name but am I breaking trademark law by using the word FICO in my domain?
Thanks guys!
By Copyright Law Enquirer
July 15th, 2009 at 10:25pm
Under copyright law
If I don’t quote anything from it, just mention the name, is there a law against that?
By Copyright Law Enquirer
July 15th, 2009 at 10:26am
Under trademark law
I wasn’t sure since it’s a movie title and it’s not exactly unique.
By Copyright Law Enquirer
July 14th, 2009 at 10:29am
Under trademark law
I’d really like to know, if I named my company after an old comic (ie. ‘Boop’s’!) would i be vulnerable to court cases? is there anywhere on the net i can get a basic guide to trademark law in ireland and internationally?
any help would be great, thanks in advance:)
By Copyright Law Enquirer
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