The new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) are upon
us –
havebrand owners done enough to protect
against possible trade mark infringement?
Now is the time to register your brand in conjunction
with 14 of the first Latin script gTLDs, or to object to other
registrations during what is known as the 'Sunrise' period.
The introduction of the new gTLDs will allow for Internet addresses
such as www.nike.clothing or www.finance.guru.
The first 23 Latin script gTLDs to have their Sunrise periods
announced are as follows:
gTLD |
Start of Sunrise period |
End of Sunrise period |
.BIKE |
26 November 2013 |
24 January 2014 |
.CLOTHING |
26 November 2013 |
24 January 2014 |
.GURU |
26 November 2013 |
24 January 2014 |
.HOLDINGS |
26 November 2013 |
24 January 2014 |
.PLUMBING |
26 November 2013 |
24 January 2014 |
.SINGLES |
26 November 2013 |
24 January 2014 |
.VENTURES |
26 November 2013 |
24 January 2014 |
.CAMERA |
3 December 2013 |
31 January 2014 |
.EQUIPMENT |
3 December 2013 |
31 January 2014 |
.ESTATE |
3 December 2013 |
31 January 2014 |
.GALLERY |
3 December 2013 |
31 January 2014 |
.GRAPHICS |
3 December 2013 |
31 January 2014 |
.LIGHTING |
3 December 2013 |
31 January 2014 |
.PHOTOGRAPHY |
3 December 2013 |
31 January 2014 |
.CONTRACTORS |
10 December 2013 |
7 February 2014 |
.CONSTRUCTION |
10 December 2013 |
7 February 2014 |
.DIRECTORY |
10 December 2013 |
7 February 2014 |
.KITCHEN |
10 December 2013 |
7 February 2014 |
.LAND |
10 December 2013 |
7 February 2014 |
.TODAY |
10 December 2013 |
7 February 2014 |
.TECHNOLOGY |
10 December 2013 |
7 February 2014 |
.SEXY |
11 December 2013 (estimated) |
8 February 2014 (estimated) |
.TATTOO |
11 December 2013 (estimated) |
8 February 2014 (estimated) |
The following Latin script gTLDs have been delegated (entered into
the Internet's Root Zone, the authoritative database for the
Internet) but are yet to have a date confirmed for the Sunrise
period:
gTLD |
.DIAMONDS |
.ENTERPRISES |
.MENU |
.TIPS |
.UNO |
.VOYAGE |
To take part in the Sunrise period, it is mandatory for a trade
mark holder to have a validated trade mark entry in the Trade mark
Clearinghouse – a process which takes at least 2 to 3 weeks.
The Clearinghouse has attempted to limit the need for a 'mad
dash' to register new domains during the Sunrise period by
providing a notification service. The holders of trade marks
registered at the Clearinghouse will be warned of any domain name
applications which exactly match their registered mark.
ICANN, the organisation responsible for overseeing Internet
addresses, has entered into a total of 162 Registry Agreements with
the final amount of gTLDs possibly increasing to 1,400. The full
list detailing each of those Registry Agreements is available to
view at http://www.icann.org/en/about/agreements/registries.
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.