Hands up who thinks that they or their company own one or more domain names? OK, unless you work for nominet, ICANN or one of the other registrars, put your hands down. When you ‘purchase’ a domain name, what you are purchasing is a registration that entitles you to use the domain name for a certain period of time. You are not purchasing the domain name itself which remains owned by the registrar with whom you take out the contract.

It is so easy these days to get the perfect image you need for your website or to go on top of an article like this. All you have to do is type the topic into Google (or another favourite search engine), click on images and select the one you need right? No WRONG!

While on a recent holiday in Brugge, Belgium and while I should have been enjoying the chocolates, mussels and beer, I couldn’t help but stop to take some pictures of the branding at the local McDonalds. The reason is because I am often asked whether you should use an ® or a TM next to your name or logo, whether you have to use one of the other, what they mean and why they matter.

Choosing a good name for your new venture can be very challenging and is also very important. Although the saying goes that “a rose by any name smells just as sweet”, and there is something in the fact that is your product / service is so compelling it is likely to be a success whatever it is called.