Knowing the value of a domain name is like knowing the difference between a diamond and a stone.  Generic Names Generic: belonging to, characteristic of class or genus. In the trademark sense, a generic name is one that is not capable of distinguishing the goods of any particular trader from the goods of others. For many years, it has been well-settled trademark law that a generic name is incapable of identifying the source of such goods by name. In the Internet era however, a generic domain or web address is most certainly capable of directing consumers to one, and only one, particular company. By selecting a domain name that consists only of word describing or identifying a popular type of goods or services, the domain owner obtains, in effect a valauble intellectual property right as compared to his competitors. Although the law of the Internet has only begun to confound trademark attorneys, we at Anderson & Associates celebrate the arrival of the new commodity: generic names online. Historically, we practitioners, like Trademark Examiners, have shooed away those businesses who have selected names that merely describe their goods or services. In today's new E-conomy however, it now appears that the generic names could be the most valuable ones of all.  Determining and protecting the value of a generic domain name can be an elusive business - fraught with cybersquatters, Internet prospectors, digital pirates, reverse-domain hijackers and worst still, Internet Domain Registrars acting like blundering fools. The attorneys behind Generic Names Online recognize the difference between a brand name and a generic name. Do you? READ UP! - Here are the decisions in a few of the generic domain name disputes we've successfully handled on behalf of Respondents: INVICTA.COM (decided by NAF - August 3, 2006) (complainant narrowly avoids a finding of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking)   MOUNTAINVIEWCOUNTRYCLUB.COM (decided by NAF - March 28, 2005) Panel Makes a finding of Reverse Domain Hijacking! CANDY2U.COM (decided by NAF - June 19, 2003) CAPITAL.BIZ- (decided by WIPO - July 3, 2002) FILM.BIZ- (decided by NAF - August 20, 2002) GRACE.BIZ (decided by WIPO - July 12, 2002) HUNTER.BIZ (decided by NAF - June 20, 2002) MUNICH.BIZ - (decided by WIPO - July 1, 2002) PRINT.BIZ (decided by NAF - June 25, 2002) Learn more about our domain name registration services, our domain dispute counsel, domain appraisal and escrow services, go to www.namesavers.net. ANDERSON & ASSOCIATES 31285 Temecula Parkway, Suite 240  Temecula, California 92592 tel.   + (951) 296-1700  attorneys@domaindispute.net (c) ANDERSON & ASSOCIATES - WE PROTECT IMAGINATION! - MMII, MMV