“If you register with the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) 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,” the company said in a statement.
ICANN have just announced the launch of the first batch of new gTLD’s, which are as follows:
|
TLD
|
Sunrise Period
|
|
.shabaka
|
31 October 2013 – 29 December 2013
|
|
.ventures
|
26 November 2013 – 24 January 2013
|
|
.holdings
|
26 November 2013 – 24 January 2013
|
|
.clothing
|
26 November 2013 – 24 January 2013
|
|
.plumbing
|
26 November 2013 – 24 January 2013
|
|
.bike
|
26 November 2013 – 24 January 2013
|
|
.singles
|
26 November 2013 – 24 January 2013
|
|
.guru
|
26 November 2013 – 24 January 2013
|
The company highlighted that it is very important for companies to register with the TMCH. “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.”
