Yesterday marked the sunrise launch of the .porn and .adult generic top-level domains (gTLDs), which join .xxx in the top-level domain name space as gTLDs targeted mainly at online purveyors of adult entertainment. As with .xxx, the introduction of these adult-themed gTLDs presents yet another annoyance for trademark owners already fatigued by the weekly onslaught of gTLDs introduced over the past couple of years pursuant to ICANN’s expansion of the domain name space. … More
The new generic top-level domain names (gTLDs) are closer than ever. As previously discussed, ICANN’s Draft Applicant Guidebook Version 4 (DAG4) has been released. The guidebook, a comprehensive manual for potential gTLD applicants, explains the gTLD application process from filing to delegation (activation of the new domain), and outlines the various rights-protection mechanisms (RPMs) required to be implemented by registries for brand owners (initially discussed here).… More