You may think that domain names and trademarks have many similarities, but you may not know the specific similarities and differences. So today, this article will explain to you the knowledge of trademarks and domain names.
Domain name: It is the domain name of a website. A domain is the name of a computer or computer group on the Internet consisting of a string of names separated by dots. It is used to identify the computer's electronic name during data transmission. Orientation (sometimes also geographical location). For example, the domain name of our trademark transfer website is. Common domain names include cc/com/cn, etc. If you want to build a website on the Internet, owning a domain name is the most basic step.
Trademarks: Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are important components of my country’s intellectual property rights. Trademarks correspond to individual industrial and commercial households and enterprises. Although trademarks are not mandatory for enterprises to own, it is crucial for enterprises to have trademarks. important.
The main connections between domain names and trademarks are: a trademark is a sign that distinguishes goods or services. It is used on goods of the same or similar type and must be distinctive so as to play the role of identifying goods. In this case, In terms of basic functions, trademarks have three major functions: indicating the source or provenance of goods, urging product producers and operators to ensure product quality, and advertising. Undoubtedly, both trademarks and domain names have a certain degree of identification and exclusivity, and both have the function of advertising. This is their biggest similarity.
The main differences between domain names and trademarks are:
(1) They are applicable to different objects. Trademarks are used to identify goods and can only be used on goods; domain names are used to identify computer users, and computer users are not goods.
(2) The two have different identity foundations. The identity of a trademark comes from its distinctiveness, while the identity of a domain name is guaranteed by its uniqueness.
(3) The basis of exclusivity between the two is different. A registered trademark is not exclusive if it is used on different types of goods (or services), or outside the geographical scope where registration is applied for, or beyond the validity period of registration. Theoretically, as long as a small maintenance fee is paid on time, a registered domain name can be excluded from all registered or to-be-registered domain names on a global scale indefinitely, with no geographical or timeliness.
(4) The principles for obtaining the two are different. Domain names are registered on a first-come-first-served basis and cannot be used on the Internet without first being registered. The principles for obtaining trademarks vary from country to country. Some countries adopt the first-to-register principle, some adopt the first-to-use principle, and some countries adopt a mixed principle.
To say that there is no relationship between the two, they still exist. Domain names are very important to enterprises, and trademarks are even more important to enterprises.