Obtaining a Domain Name

Domain names serve as the address for a Web site. Selecting and protecting your domain name is one of the most important issues in the creation of the your Web site.

When choosing a domain name:

  • If you are the owner of a strong trademark, consider obtaining domain name registrations under multiple top-level domain names. For example, the PaulCo Web site might be found under "paulco.com", "paulco.firm", "paulco.web", and "paulco.net". Multiple registrations might require the overhead of maintaining a Web site under each domain, but prevents competitors from obtaining the sites.

  • Try to keep your domain name as short and simple as possible. Remember that search engines often list results alphabetically. Names that start with numbers (such as "123gifts.com"), are listed first.

  • It may be important (for search engines) that your domain name describes your business or what you are selling, rather than have it be exactly the name of your organization. For example, "bikeseats.com" instead of "bloggs.com".

To obtain a domain name:

  1. Perform an Internet Network Information Center (InterNIC) WhoIs search to ensure that your selected name is not already taken.
    Note:  Sometimes, when searching for a domain name, your might discover that someone else has already taken your corporate name or trademark as a domain name. In most cases, there is little that you can do because the other party has equal right to use that name. In some circumstances, however, it is possible to contest a registered domain name based upon superior rights to that name. Such a contest can be made through the courts or through InterNIC domain name dispute policy.
  2. It is recommended that you perform a trademark search to verify that your chosen domain name is not infringing on another’s trademark.
  3. If your chosen domain name is available, you should obtain a trademark registration for it through InterNIC. You can file a registration with InterNIC using their online registration form.
  4. To better protect your domain name, it is recommended that you also obtain a trademark registration on your domain name.
  5. Contact your MIS department for information on how your Web server is made available to your users.