Should I check for registered trademarks before registering a domain?

Yes, it's a recommended precaution, especially if the domain will be used for a business or a brand.

Domain registration works on a first-come, first-served basis — the registry (RoTLD, EURid, or another) and agents like EUReg don't automatically check whether the name you chose overlaps with a registered trademark. It's your responsibility to make sure the name doesn't infringe on someone else's rights.

Before registering a domain for a new brand, we recommend:

• a quick search in OSIM's trademark register (for national trademarks) or EUIPO's (for EU-wide trademarks);
• a general web search, to see whether the name is already actively used by someone else in your field.

If you accidentally register a domain identical or very similar to an already-protected trademark, you risk a later dispute through the dispute-resolution procedure (see Someone registered a domain identical to my trademark – what can I do?), which can result in losing the domain.