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Allens Arthur Robinson Patent & Trade Marks Attorneys provides intellectual property services, specialising in Australia and New Zealand, and is integrated with the premier law firm, Allens Arthur Robinson
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Domain names

As with a business name, a domain name can't be relied upon to stop another trader from using the same or a similar name.

In Australia, the most popular domain for businesses is the ".com.au" domain, and a registration of it as a domain name must be based upon (or derived from) a registered business name or a company name - for instance, "aar.com.au" is derived from the business name of Allens Arthur Robinson. A domain name cannot be based upon a trade mark (whether registered or unregistered), though this may change in the future.

Only one domain name may be obtained for each company name or registered business name. A company with more than one registered business name can get separate domain name registrations for each of its business names. You cannot rely upon a domain name registration to stop another trader from using the same or a similar name (for instance, as a trade mark).

A trade mark registration, on the other hand, confers strong legal rights enforceable against other traders who use, or seek to register, the same or a similar trade mark in respect of the same or similar goods or services. So it is generally worth considering seeking trade mark registration as well as registering a domain name.

You can register a domain name as a trade mark, but there are criteria to be met. We can advise you on the suitability of your domain name for registration as a trade mark, and can help you register both trade marks and domain names.

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Domain names team

Wendy Burnett


Wendy Burnett
Senior Associate
Melbourne | +61 3 9613 8635
Wendy.Burnett@aar.com.au

 View CV

Tim Golder


Tim Golder
Partner
Melbourne | +61 3 9613 8925
Tim.Golder@aar.com.au

 View CV

Philip Kerr


Philip Kerr
Partner
Sydney | +61 2 9230 4937
Philip.Kerr@aar.com.au

 View CV

Peter Ryan


Peter Ryan
Senior Associate
Melbourne | +61 3 9613 8472
Peter.Ryan@aar.com.au

 View CV


Melbourne +61 3 9614 1011
Sydney +61 2 9230 4000


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Allens Arthur Robinson Patent & Trade Marks Attorneys provides IP services, specialising in Australia and New Zealand, and is integrated with premier law firm Allens Arthur Robinson
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