Terms of Use for nic.merck
Effective Date: April 23, 2026
Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Please read these Terms of Use (“Terms”) carefully before accessing or using the website nic.merck (the “Site”). The Site is the official Namespace Information Center and public-facing portal for the .merck generic top-level domain (gTLD).

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using the Site in any manner, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, as well as any applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use the Site.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Merck Registry Holdings, Inc. (the “Registry Operator”), acting on behalf of MM Domain Holdco Ltd. (the “Joint Venture”), a 50/50 joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, New Jersey, USA) and Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany) (collectively referred to as the “Merck Companies,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

2. Purpose of the Site

The Site provides authoritative information about the .merck gTLD, the Merck Companies, their research, products, initiatives, and related services. It serves as the primary public resource for the .merck namespace, which is operated as a controlled, brand-centric gTLD under joint governance of the Merck Companies.

3. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on the Site—including text, graphics, logos, trademarks, service marks, images, audio, video, software, and other materials (collectively, the “Content”)—is owned or licensed by the Merck Companies or their affiliates and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws worldwide.

  • The Merck name, the .merck logo, and all related trademarks are the exclusive property of the respective Merck Companies in their respective territories.
  • You may not reproduce, modify, distribute, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, create derivative works from, or sell any Content without our prior written consent.
  • Limited permission is granted to view, download, and print Content solely for your personal, non-commercial, informational use, provided you retain all copyright and other proprietary notices.

Any unauthorized use of the Site or Content may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws.

4. Permitted Use and User Conduct

You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You may not:

  • Use the Site in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair the Site or interfere with any other party’s use.
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site or any systems or networks connected to it.
  • Use any robot, spider, scraper, or other automated means to access the Site for any purpose without our express written permission.
  • Introduce any viruses, trojans, worms, or other malicious code.
  • Post, transmit, or distribute any unsolicited advertising, promotional materials, spam, or chain letters.
  • Collect or harvest any information about other users (if any) or the Site’s infrastructure.
  • Impersonate any person or entity or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity.

5. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Site and all Content are provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis, without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Merck Companies and their affiliates, licensors, and service providers disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to:

  • Implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement.
  • That the Site will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

We do not warrant or make any representations regarding the use, accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the Content.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, in no event shall the Merck Companies, their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, or licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages (including, without limitation, loss of profits, data, or goodwill) arising out of or in connection with your use of, or inability to use, the Site, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Site shall not exceed one hundred U.S. dollars (USD $100).

7. Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and disclose information about you when you use the Site. By using the Site, you consent to the practices described in the Privacy Policy.

8. Links to Third-Party Sites

The Site may contain links to third-party websites or resources. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or availability of such sites. Your use of any third-party sites is at your own risk and subject to the terms of those sites.

9. Changes to the Terms

We reserve the right to modify, update, or replace these Terms at any time in our sole discretion. We will notify you of material changes by posting the revised Terms on the Site with an updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Site after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

10. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to the Site at any time, with or without cause or notice, including if we believe you have violated these Terms. Upon termination, all rights granted to you under these Terms will immediately cease.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, USA, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Site shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New Jersey, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

12. General Provisions

  • These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Site and supersede all prior understandings.
  • If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
  • Our failure to enforce any right or provision shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
  • These Terms are personal to you and may not be assigned or transferred without our prior written consent.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

Merck Registry Holdings, Inc.
c/o MM Domain Holdco Ltd.
Email: registry@nic.merck

WHOIS: whois.nic.merck

By using nic.merck, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Use.

nic.merck — One namespace. Two Mercks. One shared future.

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