Where could be the Problem be, my domain name registration just got cancelled? One may be left out wondering why a domain name is cancelled or why it didn't get registered. There are reasons why this happens.

There are several names that you can register as a domain name. While this is true it doesn't mean that each name you come across that is not registered as a domain name is free for registration. By the way, do you know there are names that you're not allowed to use in any beneficial way by law?

Like any other industry there are rules and regulations that govern domain name industry. Without these rules and regulations then we won't expect fair competition and ethical practices from registrants and companies that register domain names. Internet Corporation for assigned names and numbers (ICANN) is the only non profit organization that coordinates the naming system on the internet (Oversees domain name registration) worldwide.

Why do you think ICANN accredits companies that register domain names? The following are some of the reasons:

1. To ensure accountability.

2. To protect domain name registrants from unscrupulous companies since they'll identify companies that are accredited.

3. To ensure domain name registration policies and regulations are adhered to.

4. To ensure stability of the internet naming system.

Most people seeking to register domain names are advised to register their domain names with any of the ICANN's accredited registrars. By doing so they would have avoided the risk of unscrupulous companies that claim to register domain names.

If ICANN finds out that any of its accredited domain name registration company has breached the agreement with it or behaving in unscrupulous way, then that registrar's accreditation will be terminated.

Why Domain Name Registration Is Cancelled

Pic By Consumerist

1.) Trademark

Majority of domain name registration cases are due to trademark issues. A domain name that has been registered may be cancelled if a person registers knowingly or unknowingly a name that is a trademark belonging to a company or individual.

The cancellation will only happen after the company or individual who owns the trademark goes to court or files a complaint with Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) disputing the registration of the domain name which is trademark that belongs to him only.

Register a name that is a trademark if it only belongs to you otherwise if you register another person's trademark name as your domain name not only will the domain name registration be cancelled but you may end up paying lump sum of money as penalty for infringing trademark law.

For you to be on a safe side, stay away from names that are trademarks or the ones that are identical or confusingly similar to an existing trademark. Again don't buy domain names from Cybersquatters.

Cybersquatting is a crime and for this reasons we should all work towards ending domain name disputes that involve Cybersquatting or typosquatting.

2.) Bad Faith

Domain name registration should be done with an intention of good faith. There should be a good reason why a person is registering the domain name. The good reasons may be either to use it in selling genuine products and services or to pass useful information so as to create public awareness.

Domain name registration may be canceled if it is used in bad faith by the owner. The following are few examples of registering a domain name with a bad faith:

• A domain name registered for the purpose of disrupting competitors business.

• Registering a domain name in order to use it in spreading hatred, racism, violence, terrorism, racial intolerance and any other information that is against law.

• Domain name that is used in selling inappropriate products and drugs which are unfit for consumption or which are banned.

3.) Not Renewing Domain Name

A domain name is registered for a maximum of ten years. When registering a domain name for the first time the registrant must select the period to use it. This period selected let's say one year or two years makes the registrant to have the right of using that name till the end of that period.

Once the period lapse and if the registrant doesn't renew the domain name then the domain name registration is cancelled. It is made available for registration again as an expired domain name.

You should avoid your domain name registration from being cancelled just because you forget to renew it. When you renew your domain name you should not select a short period instead make the period to be longer like five years and above.

4.) Whois Wrong Information

All registrants must give true information during domain name registration process. The information regarding their names, addresses, where they reside in, telephone number and other required personal information when registering a domain name must be accurate.

Whenever there are changes regarding such information then it's their obligation to ensure that it is updated. If not the domain name registration may be cancelled.

To avoid your domain name registration canceled always updates Whois information. You do this by informing the company on which you registered your domain name about the changes of your personal information.

5.) NameJacking

Domain name registration can be cancelled after an investigation is carried out and the registrant is guilty of namejacking. What is namejacking? It is when a person registers someone's name in order to gain traffic as a result of its searches carried out. An example of this is where names of celebrities are registered as domain names without their knowledge.

Rejection During Domain Name Registration

There are reasons why a domain name may be rejected during domain name registration process. Here are some reasons:

1.) Restricted Country Top Level Domain Names

There are several country top level domain names that can be used to register a name. While this is very true there are those that are restricted. Rejection of domain name registration occurs if one is registering a name using restricted country top level domain names.

For example you're not allowed to register a name using .al unless you're a citizen of Albania.

2.) Invalid Credit Card

During domain name registration process if a person is using an invalid credit card while registering a domain name then a rejection will occur.

3.) Prohibited Characters

There are characters that are not allowed in a domain name. If such characters are included while registering a name, the domain name registration company will reject the registration. Some of the characters prohibited include $, starting with a hyphen when registering a domain name, using only numbers without letters.

4.) Exceeding Maximum Characters

Sixty three characters are the maximum number of characters a domain name is supposed to have. If this number is exceeded then domain name registration will be rejected.

For more information read here absolutely for free domain name registration guide.