A domain name is an identification label to define a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet, based on the Domain Name System (DNS).

Domain names are used in various networking contexts and application-specific naming and addressing purposes. Domain names are organized in subordinate levels (subdomains) of the top-level Internet domains (TLDs), such as the prominent domains com, net and org. Below the top-level domains in the DNS hierarchy are the second-level and third-level domain names that are typically open for reservation by end-users that wish to connect local area networks to the Internet, run web sites, or create other publicly accessible Internet resources. The registration of these domain names is usually administered by domain name registrars who sell their services to the public.

Individual Internet host computers use domain names as host identifiers, or hostnames. Hostnames are the leaf labels in the domain name system usually without further subordinate domain name space. Hostnames appear as a component in Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) for Internet resources such as web sites (e.g., en.wikipedia.org).

Domain names are also used as simple identification labels to indicate ownership or control of a resource. Such examples are the realm identifiers used in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the DomainKeys used to verify DNS domains in e-mail systems, and in many other Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs).

An important purpose of domain names is to provide easily recognizable and memorizable names to numerically addressed Internet resources. This abstraction allows any resource (e.g., website) to be moved to a different physical location in the address topology of the network, globally or locally in an intranet. Such a move usually requires changing the IP address of a resource and the corresponding translation of this IP address to and from its domain name.

This article primarily discusses the group of domain names that are offered by domain name registrars for registration by the public. The Domain Name System article discusses the technical facilities and infrastructure of the domain name space and the hostname article deals with specific information about the use of domain names as identifiers of network hosts.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Mon Jul 6 12:15:38 2009

Can someone take my domain names and idea?
Q. I have registered domains names and set up a limited company in the UK. I intend to trademark the brand name of my company soon but do not have a trademark anywhere in the world. However, in that time, if someone else sees my websites and decided to trademark it (for monetary gain) will their application be accepted and can they force me to hand over my company and domain names. One example was when on the BBC2 show 'The Apprentice' - You're Fired show, the presenter announced the name of the company ( called Xenon Green) and within minutes someone registered the domain names. Where do I stand?
Asked by Mahmood C - Tue Sep 26 14:43:39 2006 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. if you have a registered company which uses the same name as your proposed website then you have prior claim on web addresses in the same country of origin as the TLD ie ".UK". assuming that the busines is already trading and the website(s) are up and running then you have prior claim. someone can take out a trademark application (as indeed so can you - see tha patent office website; its not that expensive). if they make an applcition for ther trademark and its successfull and its in the same area as you then they have prior rights to the name, but not the website address. if there is an applciaiton in the pipeline, you can object to the applciation, however you have to show grounds for your objection (ie you are already using the name).… [cont.]
Answered by Mark J - Tue Sep 26 15:11:48 2006

How can I be expert in snapping domain names and owning them?
Q. Hi How can I be expert in snapping domain names and owning them? I know there is some website who can snap deleted doamin names for you put the question is where to find these doamins and how to get them?
Asked by yoofi1 - Wed Mar 28 10:09:58 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Don't do it. Better to you should purchase a affordable chip domain at
Answered by Dino - Thu Mar 29 06:15:10 2007

How do people obtain the rights to sell Top Level Domain Names?
Q. How can people sell domain names and hosting? Where do they get the domain names from? If I had my own server (or made my computer one), would I need to pay someone to host my website and to get a top level domain? Thanks! How do those places (like go daddy) get the Top Level Domain Names in the first place?
Asked by redfox1160 - Sun Aug 3 12:51:41 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. ICANN has a defined procedure to make accredited registrars (like godaddy). It's a highly expensive task and only serious domain name businesses choose to follow that path. I don't want to enter the specifics but i assume you're not interested for this (i gave you some links below to check just for your information). Additional to the cost for the registrar you need to prepay in packs the domains you will sell from the registry operator. All these above are for official registrars and not for simple domain resellers. For hosting is pretty simple. You rent a dedicated server from a datacenter, share the memory, bandwidth and hard disk resources to many clients and you easily sell shared webhosting packs. You can also buy VPS hosting plans… [cont.]
Answered by Web Maniac - Tue Aug 5 06:39:08 2008

From Yahoo Answer Search: "domain names"
Sat Jul 11 16:40:40 2009

Heineken Wants Heineken.tel Domain Name - Domain Name Wire
news.google.com
Heineken Wants Heineken.tel Domain Name

Domain Name Wire

Heineken Espana, SA, has filed for arbitration at World Intellectual Property Organization to get the domain name Heineken.tel. .Tel is a new domain name ...
Two Peas Consulting Announces a Trademark Friendly Alt-DNS Which ... - PR Newswire (press release)
news.google.com
Two Peas Consulting Announces a Trademark Friendly Alt-DNS Which ...

PR Newswire (press release)

The DWDNS system protects trademark holders by comparing requested domain names to the USPTO.GOV and other world trademark databases. ...



and more »
TicketsNow Settles With Illinois for $50K - Courthouse News Service
news.google.com
TicketsNow Settles With Illinois for $50K

Courthouse News Service

... which will be used for consumer fraud enforcement and education, and agreed to stop operating any Web sites that have misleading domain names . ...

Consumer Digest Providence Journal

TicketsNow Promises Illinois It Will Curb Deceptive Tactics Consumer Affairs



all 4 news articles »

From Google News Search: "domain names"
Sat Jul 11 14:33:37 2009

domain names jpg
norcalblogs.com
domain names jpg
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The titles says it all These are the least thought out dumbest just plain old ridiculous domain names registered to very serious websites and businesses enjoy 1 A site called Who

Long Domain names jpg
webdesign.org
Long Domain names jpg
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[source page]

The long held wisdom is that domain names should be short and memorable Of course it is great when you can get a short name that really works for your business but sometimes that is tough

Buy Domain Names jpg
webdesign.org
Buy Domain Names jpg
135px x 200px | 9.50kB

[source page]

What is domain name privacy protection Also known as Private Registration This is a term involved with domain name registration And it literally means you domain name registration

From Yahoo Image Search: "domain names"
Mon Jul 13 12:01:24 2009

 Domain names : please apply here | domainmacher.com
domainmacher.com
Domain names : please apply here | domainmacher.com

unknown

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:21:00 GM

I have a problem (well, yeah, okay apart from the obvious!). This website is going to be moved on to its very own . domain. shortly, but I don't know what that . domain. is going to be! It seems that slowfoodadventu​res.com is taken, ...

ellyjackson.co.uk - Domain Name Forum
domainnameforumz.com
ellyjackson.co.uk - Domain Name Forum

sp0om

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:28:14 GM

If this is your first visit to . Domain Name. Forums you'll need to register before you can post messages. Please click the register link to proceed. If you need help understanding how the forum works visit our help topics. ...

11 Unintentionally Hilarious Domain Names
11points.com
11 Unintentionally Hilarious Domain Names

unknown

hu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:09 GM

We're talking lesbocages.com,​ oldmanshaven.co​m, nobjs.org and eight more awesomely accidental URLs.

From Google Blog Search: "domain names"
Sun Jul 12 15:19:15 2009