New Web Domains Raise Risk of Cyber-Squatting

With new web domains beginning to appear online – including .London, .guru and .sexy to name a few – businesses need to act to defend their brand from infringement. In March, the Trademark Clearinghouse revealed that more than 500,000 Claims Notices had been downloaded. These are sent as a warning to anyone attempting to register a domain name that matches a trademark term recorded in the Clearinghouse. Even though fewer than 70 of the 1,300 Top-Level Domains (TLDs) applied for are live and accepting registrations from the general public, the number of warnings issued indicates a high level of interest in trademarked terms from third parties. According to Interbrand’s “Best Global brands 2013” list, 48 percent of the top 50 brands are currently not in control of several key domain names already available.

Brand infringement has generated some high-profile litigation. Donald Trump filed suit against an individual for falsely registering trumpmumbai.com, trumpindia.com, trumpbeijing.com and trumpabudhabi.com. Salvatore Ferragamo and Gucci won court cases against multiple third parties deceptively using their brand names. Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger are now facing brand infringement from unknown third parties who have registered both brands under the new .clothing TLD. Another complaint was filed against the domain names IBM.guru and IBM.ventures.

Trademark Clearinghouse currently offers protection to more than 10,000 brands and businesses. It deters cyber-squatters from registering protected terms, provides an ongoing notification service which is not time limited, and serves as protection for previously abused terms.