To start a successful business on the internet, it is not enough simply to register a domain name and hosting: you often need to register the right trademark as well, so that you avoid possible legal problems later on.

If you are starting a business where trademark protection is particularly important, it is worth starting the process at the time of domain registration or soon after, as later on the opportunity often comes only at a much higher cost.

It often happens that years after launch a domain name can only be brought under trademark protection as part of legal proceedings, or someone else may easily take it from you, relying on the lack of protection – which can practically ruin the whole business.

Trademark protection for a .hu domain name

Although this is a very complex question on which you should always consult a legal adviser, putting a domain name under trademark protection is now entirely common among businesses that plan for the long term.

It is important to know, however, that registering a domain name does not in itself give you grounds for immediate trademark protection. You have to meet many other conditions, which are always decided by an official body under Act XI of 1997 on the protection of trademarks and geographical indications.

Registration of trademark protection – whether for a domain name, your own product or intellectual property – must always be requested from the SZTNH, the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office.

This can also be very useful because a trademark search at the office can identify problems early on, for example whether the name you have chosen conflicts with other trademarks. This can be a huge help when choosing a domain name or naming your business or product.

Trademark protection for a .eu domain name

If you are considering trademark protection, an important question is whether you only want to target the Hungarian market with your product or service, or want to succeed abroad as well. In the latter case, it is very common to register a .eu domain name.

In such cases, the trademark register is kept by the EUIPO, the European Union Intellectual Property Office. You can contact the office and submit your application online.

You can even use services that notify you if someone in a member state has applied to register a .eu domain name and trademark similar to yours.

This is particularly important if unauthorised parties want to copy, in effect steal, the product or service you have created, as it lets you nip such attempts in the bud.

So trademarking a domain name not only makes it easier to choose the right one, it also helps protect you later on, so that you can avoid possible legal disputes and costly litigation.

• choosing a domain
• legislation
• business
• .hu domain
• domain endings