Over eight years after the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) first considered introducing new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) to include non-Roman script characters (e.g. click here to view character), specific keywords (e.g. .music) or even specific brands (e.g. .google, .amazon), the first gTLDs (click here to view gTLDs) were entered into the internet root on Wednesday 23rd October 2013 and more have since been entered.
While many large brands have already applied for their own gTLD, rights owners large and small should be aware of the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH), which is intended to help all rights holders prevent abuse of their trade mark rights. Rights holders can submit their trade mark information and protect their trade marks either through the sunrise period or through the Trademark Claims service.
As with existing TLDs (e.g. .com), the Uniform Dispute Resolution Process is a cost-effective way of dealing with abusive registrations that infringe trade mark rights.
