The terms and useage guidelines of registration should be clearly stated before purchase.
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1) Please check the following database to see if there is a trademark for the WORD already registered
-> trademark database
note: if it is a word considered in general useage in the current english language (link to appropriate dictionary) then check if the trademark covers the word or just a particular application/design/colouring of that word
2) Check on this database whether there is a well known company with the name matching (or within reasonable typographic similarity) to the name you wish to register
With regards 1), if the required domain matches a trademark, then whilst we will not stop you from registering it, as a guideline, there have been cases where the trademark registrant has won back the domain name. We advise you not to register trademark domains.
With regards 1 & 2) b, if the required domain is a "generic" word, but either matches a company name or trademark then whilst the company involved may ask for it, it is Nominet's domain name policy that this is an acceptable registration.
Useage of a domain.
It is not Nominet's remit to monitor or regulate useage of a domain name, however bear in mind the following two areas of law in particular: Passing off and Trademark law.
If a domain is found to have been registered against any of the above guidelines and/or is found to be abusing any of those areas of law then Nominet has set up a system called the DRS under which the fate of the domain name in question is decided.
Also bear in mind that there is an extension .ltd.uk specifically designed to protect the names of limited companies, and thereby no special rights to the .co.uk domain are inferred.
2 years after the registration of any domain, irrespective of any of the above terms, the current holder is entitled to keep the domain.
Upon transferral of that domain, the new holder is also subject to a further 2 year "notice" period.
yesterday