South Africa: ICANN Launches First Batch Of New Gtld's

As advised in an IP ENSight sent out earlier this year, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), plans to launch some 1900 new Generic Top Level Domains (gTLD's). This new system will allow for the registration of generic words, geographic names and brand names as top level names, for example .lawyer, .africa, .zulu, .google and .clothing.

ICANN has established a so-called 'Trademark Clearinghouse',  which came into effect on 26 March 2013.

If you register with the Trademark Clearinghouse you will be entitled to register your trade mark as a domain name during the so-called 'Sunrise Period' for each new gTLD as and when it comes into effect.  This will give you a preferential registration right, in that you will be able to register your trade mark as a domain name before the general public are able put in their applications.

ICANN have just announced the launch of the first batch of new gTLD's, which are as follows:

It is extremely important for you to register your trade mark with the TMCH, otherwise you will not be able to participate in the Sunrise Period. For example, when .africa launches in March 2014, if you not registered your trade mark with the TMCH you cannot participate in, and or register your trade mark as a TLD, during the Sunrise period. The same applies to .durban, .joburg and .capetown.

It is still possible to register your trade mark with the TMCH. If you would like further information in this regard, or, if you have already registered your trade mark with the TMCH and would like to register any of the above TLD's, please contact Vicky Stilwell (vstilwell@ensafrica.com).

We will update you further as more gTLD's are launched.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.