Domain names are text based names which represent the addresses of a website on the Internet, such as www.actuateip.com.au. Domain names are registered through registrars.  There are a variety of levels of domain names which can be registered, for example “.com”, “.com.au”, “.net”, “.biz” etc.  Domain name registrations, like business and company names, will not prevent another trader from registering the same or similar domain name. 

There are variety of eligibity requirements when applying for a domain name, particularly for a ".com.au".  Domain names are obtained under license for an initial 2 year period and are renewable perpetually.  Therefore, as domain name holder there are no proprietary rights afforded to you as the holder of the domain.  For example your domain name registration for www.yourdomainname.com.au, will not prevent another party from registering the same domain name for the www.yourdomainname.com.

There are however also alternative domain name dispute mechanisms.

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