How Trademark and Domain Names Differ ?

What is Trademark?

A Trademark is a brand.  It is any name, word, symbol or design or combination of these that identify the source of goods or service and distinguished them form the goods or service of another owner.

You need to register your trademark with IPINDIA and Trademark office to secure nationwide ownership rights.

Example of registered trademark Incudes

FLIPKART, BATA, NIKE

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is simple an internet address of your website. Some people refer to it as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or web address.

You register your domain names with a domain name registrar to secure a website location on internet.

Example of domain name includes

Apple.com, PNC.Com, PAYTM.com

Can a trademark and a domain name be the same?

Yes. They can be same. It all depends on how and where they used.

Trademarks are used to attract attention.

They might appear in a large size on the front of packaging for goods.

They might appear in a traditional location on building where services are provided, such as on a building where services are provided, such as on sign or over the door of restaurant or retail store.

They might appear in traditional location on a website for services, such as the top left corner.

Domain name is used to indicate a website location on the internet.

They appear in the address bar of a web browser

They might include www at the beginning of the name.

They might include .com, .net, .org or other top-level domains at the end of the name.

It is your choice whether to use the same wording as both a trademark and a domain name.

For example, see the webpage below.

flycheap.com appear as domain name in the address bar of the web browser and as a trademark in in the main body of the webpage.