Leveraging the Trademark Clearinghouse: Protecting Marks Under ICANN's gTLD System Strengthening Patent Portfolios, Correcting Patents, and Understanding the Risks and Limitations of Reissue Today’s faculty features: 1pm Eastern | 12pm Central | 11am Mountain | 10am Pacific The audio portion of the conference may be accessed via the telephone or by using your computer's speakers. Please refer to the instructions emailed to registrants for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 10. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 Presenting a live 90-minute webinar with interactive Q&A Deborah M. Lodge, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs, Washington, D.C. Monica Riva Talley, Director, Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox, Washington, D.C. Anna B. Naydonov, Esq., Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner, Washington, D.C.
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Leveraging the Trademark Clearinghouse: Protecting Marks Under ICANN's gTLD System Strengthening Patent Portfolios, Correcting Patents,
and Understanding the Risks and Limitations of Reissue
1. Background: Expansion of Internet and Explosion of Top
Level Domains (TLDs)
2. Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) Basics
3. Registration in TMCH
4. Benefits and Limitations of the TMCH
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Expansion of Internet
Pre-2013: limited number of TLDs: .com, .org, .biz,
various Country Codes, such as .tv, .us, .de, .cn.
ICANN opened up the Internet skies in 2012.
Result: numerous “generic Top Level Domains” (gTLDs)
and .Brands coming online.
Now: 431 TLDs launched as of 11-10-2014; over 1400
TLDs expected.
Early November 2014:
Launch of .HOW and .WHOSWHO
Quite popular: .EXPERT, .GURU. .XYZ
GeoTLDs: .NYC, .PARIS, .VEGAS
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gTLD Allocation as of November 10, 2014
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Iloveyou.diamonds
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Trademarks In Peril!
Proliferation of gTLDs raised concerns about:
Trademark Infringements
Cybersquatting
Phishing
Typosquatting
Solution: TRADEMARK CLEARINGHOUSE
To increase protections for trademark owners.
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What is the Trademark Clearinghouse?
TMCH: a Database and Notice System
Database of Trademarks Meeting Certain Criteria
All gTLDs must check against the TMCH Database for new domain name registrations
“Claims Period”: 90 days after each TLD opens for general registration. Notice given to Domain Name applicants if their selection is a “direct match” of a Trademark in the TMCH System.
Notice to TMCH Registrants during Claims Period and “Ongoing Notice Period”
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TMCH Criteria for Registration
To qualify for TMCH Registration, a
trademark must be:
Nationally registered – e.g., USPTO
Protected by law or treaty – e.g., “Olympics” or
“Red Cross”
“Court-validated” unregistered
marks
Word marks; not logos or design marks
“Abused” marks
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BENEFITS OF TMCH
REGISTRATION
TMCH Registrants get notice if someone has
registered a domain name that is identical to their
TMCH-registered mark.
Delta.plumbing
Delta.voyage
Delta.aero
Domain name registrants get notice during the
90-day Claims Period if their chosen domain
name matches a TMCH Registration – could be
used later to show knowledge and willfulness.
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BENEFITS OF TMCH
REGISTRATION
TMCH Registrants can participate in TLD
“Sunrise” Periods
IF proof of actual use submitted to TMCH.
Sunrise Period: TMCH Registrants get
priority period for registering trademarks
as domain names in new gTLDs.
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LIMITATIONS OF TMCH
REGISTRATION
IT’S ONLY NOTICE: The “infringer” can
still register the infringing domain name.
Only applies to Direct Hits.
The TM Owner will need to take action:
• URS: Uniform Rapid Suspension
• UDRP: Uniform Dispute Resolution
Procedure – for Domain Names
• Infringement Suits, Cease & Desist Letters
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INNOVATIONS
BLOCKING SERVICES: DPML (Domain
Protected Mark List)
Some registries (e.g., Donuts and Rightside)
Offer Blocking Services:
Will block TMCH-registered mark across all THEIR
gTLDs
Can include “marksucks” and other variations
Some exceptions: “premium” domain names – per
gTLD
Trademark owner may trump a block (“Block Override”)
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LIMITATIONS OF TMCH
REGISTRATION
Only EXACT MATCHES trigger notices
Example: GUCCEE or GUCCIS would not
trigger notice if GUCCI registered in TMCH
Word marks only – no logos or designs
BUT: If word portion distinct, that can be
registered.
If mark uses a * or @, can be
registered. But no design elements will be
included.
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LIMITATIONS OF TMCH
REGISTRATION
TMCH Registration is Not Public
So limited information on registered entities and
marks.
Notices need follow-up review
Infringement may not be clear:
• Surnames, Descriptive Marks, Common
Terms
TMCH registrations must be renewed
periodically. Enrollment usually 1, 3, or 5 years.
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RISKS of TMCH REGISTRATION
Some investment
Some monitoring and policing
Could lead to increased litigation
BUT: Relatively Few Risks for Some
Additional Protection
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WEIGHING BENEFITS
Controversies remain.
Whether notice is helpful.
Whether leads to increased litigation and dispute.