A domain name is a unique address on the Internet that identifies a website and makes it easier to access. It is used to locate a website or online resource by replacing a complex numerical address (IP address) with a simpler, more memorable name. A domain name consists of several parts: the second-level domain name, which corresponds to the unique identifier of the company or organisation, and the top-level domain or extension (.com, .org, .fr, etc.).
Domain names are registered with a registrar, which acts as an intermediary between users and the authorities responsible for managing top-level domains, such as ICANN for generic domains or national authorities for country domains.
Although a domain name is not strictly speaking an intellectual property right in the traditional sense, it can also be protected separately by trademark law if the name chosen is distinctive and used to identify a company or its products and services.
Domain name disputes may arise if another user registers a name similar to one already used by a company, which could lead to cybersquatting (registering domain names with the intention of reselling them to interested companies or brands). To resolve these disputes, mechanisms such as ICANN’s UDRP (Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy) or Afnic’s Syreli exist, allowing these disputes to be settled without resorting to the courts.