Le nom de domaine était inventé pour localiser sur Internet. Son valeur augment en tant qu'une ressource importante pour les entreprises. Ils ont été reconnu un type d'un signe distinctif par les jurisprudences. Le principe de « premier arrivé, premier servi » est appliqué pour enregistrer. Le problème est qu'il n'existe pas de système permettant aux registraires de filtrer au préalable les demandes susceptibles de poser problème. Ils peuvent entrer en conflit avec d'autres signes distinctifs, notamment avec les marques. Les causes peuvent expliquer par les différences des systèmes. En principe, les litiges relatifs aux noms de domaine découlent de la pratique du cybersquattage. L'apparition du cyber squattage et l'augmentation rapide du nombre de conflits nuisent à la sécurité légale. Pour résoudre ces conflits, on peut utiliser deux procédures : la procédure extrajudiciaire et judiciaire. L'UDRP procédure a été mise en place par l'ICANN. Cette procédure est évaluée comme peu coûteuse, rapide et efficace. Beaucoup de pays opèrent la procédure extrajudiciaire très similaire avec l'UDRP. En ce qui concerne des litiges « .eu », la procédure ADR est lancée. Les tribunaux de chaque pays sont en train d'essayer de régler les conflits relatifs au cybersquattage sous le fondement des lois tels que le droit de marque, le droit de concurrence déloyale et droit civil. Comme les systèmes légaux de chaque de pays sont différents, le critère appliqué ne peut pas être identique. En conclusion, le système légal pour règlementer les conflits est en train de développer au niveau international. Il est nécessaire d'harmoniser le système de règlement des conflits. / The domain name was invented to identify on Internet. His value has become an important resource for companies. The domain name was recognized a kind of distinctive sign by jurisprudence. The principle of "first come, first serve" is applied for registration. The problem is that there is no system to filter in advance some applications that may bring about a problem.Domain names may conflict with other distinctive signs, particularly with the trademarks. The causes of conflicts can be explained by the differences in systems. In principle, the disputes related to domain names come mainly from the practice of cybersquatting. The emergence of cybersquatting and their rapid increase of conflicts hinder legal security.To resolve these conflicts, two procedures can be used: the administrative procedure and the judicial procedure. The UDRP procedure has been implemented by ICANN. This procedure is evaluated as a less expensive, fast and efficient. Many countries including the France operate the administrative procedure that is very similar with the UDRP. With regard to disputes '.eu', the ADR procedure was launched. Each country's courts are currently trying to resolve disputes related to cybersquatting by the laws such as trademark law, unfair competition law and civil law. As each country's legal systems are different, the applied criteria aren't the same.In conclusion, the legal system to regulate conflicts between trademark and domain name is developing internationally and domestically. It is necessary to harmonise the system of resolution of disputes at the international level.

The thesis analyses selected aspects of domain-name law, mainly from the perspective of trade-mark law. It discusses the evolution of the domain-name system and how it operates as background to a more detailed discussion of the theoretical classification of domain names. The thesis then examines the interplay between trade marks and domain names, and the resolution of domain-name disputes resulting from the inherent tension between these two systems. The main principles of domain-name dispute resolution are identified by way of an analysis of the panel decisions handed down in terms of the international Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) and the South African domain name dispute resolution regulations. This analysis always addresses, too, the extent to which national trade-mark law principles (with reference to the laws of South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America) apply, and the extent to which this is appropriate. / Private Law / LL.D.

The thesis analyses selected aspects of domain-name law, mainly from the perspective of trade-mark law. It discusses the evolution of the domain-name system and how it operates as background to a more detailed discussion of the theoretical classification of domain names. The thesis then examines the interplay between trade marks and domain names, and the resolution of domain-name disputes resulting from the inherent tension between these two systems. The main principles of domain-name dispute resolution are identified by way of an analysis of the panel decisions handed down in terms of the international Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) and the South African domain name dispute resolution regulations. This analysis always addresses, too, the extent to which national trade-mark law principles (with reference to the laws of South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America) apply, and the extent to which this is appropriate. / Private Law / LL.D.