Lesson 4: How Trademarks Intersect with Other Forms of IP

v8HOW DO TRADEMARKS AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION/TRADE SECRETS INTERSECT?

Since trademarks need to be used and publicly visible, these two forms of IP do not generally intersect.

HOW DO TRADEMARKS AND DOMAIN NAMES INTERSECT?

An important business strategy for companies is to incorporate their trademark into their domain names, for example, www.apple.com.

No, there is no guarantee because of the following points about domain name registrations:
  • Domain names are registered independently of trademarks and are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Unlike a trademark registration, domain name registration does not go through a formal examination process, so there is nothing to prevent someone from registering your trademark as their domain name. However, procedures have been developed internationally to allow you to challenge a domain name that uses your trademark. Domain name enforcement procedures will be discussed in the next module.
Last modified: Tuesday, 11 January 2022, 3:03 PM