A domain name is basically an address on the Internet. Anyone can register their own domain name and stake a claim on the Internet. A domain name is unique. No one else may register the exact same domain name. Once a domain name is registered to a person or company, it is owned by them to use exclusively for as long as it is registered to them. You can register a domain name to use for one year, or up to 10 years at a time before needing to renew it.