Trademark Protection for New Domains

It has been years in the making but the new domain extensions are finally here!

The domains will be launching at a furious pace and will be released in batches. Domains like .CLOTHING, .BIKE and .VENTURES will be available next week while other new domain extensions like .BLOG, .APP and .WEB are being released soon!

With over 1300 new domain extensions launching in a span of two to three years, businesses and brand owners need to prepare and gear up for the oncoming domain explosion.

Trademark Protection and the New Domain Extensions

To help you manage your brand against potential threats like infringement and cybersquatting, the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) has been implemented by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The TMCH is a global database that stores and validates all trademark information. Submitting your trademark information to the TMCH allows registries (operator of the new domains) to access it and verify your trademark’s validity when the domain extensions are launched.

To see how the Trademark Clearinghouse works, check our video below!

Benefits of Using the Trademark Clearinghouse:

1. Signed Mark Data (SMD) File: Once your trademark has been validated, you will receive a SMD file. Within this file is information regarding the labels that you are allowed to register, your trademark name, jurisdiction, contact information and the classification of your trademark. The SMD file is proof that your trademark has been validated and indicates that you are eligible for the Sunrise Period.
2. Sunrise Period: Once your trademark data has been validated, you gain access to a phase called Sunrise, a priority period exclusive to validated trademark holders. Sunrise begins before the domains are available to the general public and will allow you to register domain names that match your trademark.
3. Domain Protected Marks List (DPML): A Trademark Clearinghouse validated trademark and your SMD file allows you to submit a DPML block. A DPML block will allow you to protect exact matches or domains that contain your trademark across 200 different domain extensions operated by Donuts Inc, the registry with the largest number of applications.
4. Claims Period Protection: Trademark owners with a validated trademark will be notified if a third party registers your trademark as a domain name in one of the new domain extensions when they launch. The Claims Notification period will cover your trademark indefinitely and provides you a level of protection without having to register your domain for each extension.

ACT NOW!

Trademark validation may take up to 34-days so submit your trademark information as early as possible at www.webnames.ca/trademark

For more information, call us at 1-866-470-6820 or email managedservices@webnames.ca