Internet Domain Name Policy

Whether you use a "legacy" .com Internet domain name or one of the newer Top-Level Domains (TLDs) to reach consumers and operate your business, the diversity and volume of domain names presents opportunity for innovation as well as a potential risk for business on the Internet. Internet domain name law and policy has never been more important than it is today given the proliferation of new domain names and the opportunity to reach consumers directly through the Internet. Online operators can be required to implement certain rights protections mechanisms for the use of domain names and be subject to dispute resolution procedures when conflicts over misuse arise.

In the US, a federal law called the Anti-Cybersquatting Protection Act (ACPA) regulates the bad faith registration, use, and trafficking of domain names in disputes involving trademark rights. In addition to national legislation, policies and procedures established by international bodies such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) determine the resolution of competing rights over the ownership and use of domain names.

Imagine Law attorneys have been long-time active participants in the policy development fora that establish the global rules designed to protect intellectual property, privacy, and free expression rights, and policies to handle online fraud and other illegal activity using the Internet's domain name system. We have advised major domain registry operators on the policy requirements for operating new Top-Level Domains, drafted successful applications for new TLD registry operators, and ensured the policies' compliance once the TLDs launched. Imagine Law attorneys also have significant experience with domain name disputes including those brought under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), the Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) policy, as well as disputes brought in courts of law.