Reserved names: Overview, definition, and example
What are reserved names?
Reserved names refer to domain names, business names, or other identifiers that are set aside and restricted from general registration or use. These names are typically reserved by governing bodies, registry operators, trademark owners, or regulatory authorities to protect legal, brand, or technical interests.
For example, in domain name registration, certain names such as country codes (.gov, .mil, .edu) or brand trademarks may be reserved and cannot be registered by the public. Similarly, a corporation may reserve business names to prevent competitors from using them.
Why are reserved names important?
Reserved names are important because they protect critical or high-value identifiers from misuse, fraud, or unauthorized claims. This practice helps governments, businesses, and domain registries maintain control over key names that might otherwise be exploited.
For businesses, reserving names ensures brand identity protection, preventing competitors or unrelated parties from registering confusingly similar names. In the internet domain system, reserved names help maintain the security and stability of web addresses by preventing conflicts with government, legal, or technical terms.
Understanding reserved names through an example
Imagine a technology company plans to launch a new product and reserves the product name as a trademark before publicizing it. By doing so, the company prevents others from registering the same name as a business or domain, protecting its intellectual property.
In another scenario, ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) maintains a list of reserved domain names such as .example, .test, and .invalid that cannot be registered by anyone. These names are set aside for technical and security reasons to prevent confusion or misuse in the global domain system.
Example of a reserved names clause
Here’s how a reserved names clause might appear in a domain registration agreement:
“The Registry Operator reserves the right to withhold, allocate, or restrict certain domain names (‘Reserved Names’) from registration. These names may include, but are not limited to, geographic identifiers, regulatory terms, and names designated for future allocation. The Registrant acknowledges that any attempt to register a Reserved Name may result in automatic rejection or cancellation.”
Conclusion
Reserved names protect key identifiers from unauthorized registration or misuse, ensuring stability and legal compliance in business and domain name systems. Whether in trademark protection, business registrations, or internet governance, reserved names help safeguard intellectual property, prevent fraud, and maintain regulatory control.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.