ABA Family Legal Guide

Computer Law

Computer Copyright and Trademark Issues

Legal Issues and Your Personal Website

How do domain registrars sort out conflicts over names?

The short answer is that all registrars in the .biz, .com, .info, .name, .net, and .org top-level domains follow the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). This policy provides that before a registrar will cancel, suspend, or transfer domain names, the disputes over domain names and transfers must be resolved by agreement, court action, or arbitration. If it's a question of alleged cybersquatting (see sidebar), the trademark holder can file a complaint with an "approved dispute-resolution service provider" and receive an expedited hearing.