The TMCH is a single database of validated trademarks, set-up for the purpose of protecting intellectual property rights in ICANN’s new gTLD program. As the only officially authorised solution from ICANN, the TMCH offers brands a one-stop-foundation for the safeguarding of their trademarks in domain names across the multiple new gTLDs that will go live from summer 2013.
Dual protection
The TMCH is the cornerstone of the rights protection mechanisms built into ICANN’s new gTLD program. Operated by Deloitte, who perform the verification services and IBM, as the database provider, the TMCH is open to any trademark holder - whether a private individual or company - and is without geographical limitation. The TMCH is set-up to be able to provide brand protection through two mechanisms: A Sunrise Service and a Trademark Claims Service.
The Sunrise Service supports a limited pre-registration period during which trademark owners can register the domain name that matches their trademark. A Sunrise Period is mandatory for all new gTLDs and having a validated trademark entry in the Trademark Clearinghouse is the minimum requirement to participate in a new gTLD Sunrise Period.
The Trademark Claims service supports a second limited period following the Sunrise Period. It is a notification service – mandated by ICANN for all new gTLDs - to warn both domain name registrants as well as trademark holders of possible infringements. A prospective domain name registrant gets a warning notice when attempting to register a domain name that matches a trademark term in the TMCH. If, after receiving and accepting the notice, the domain name registrant does continue to register the domain name, the trademark holder with a corresponding mark will receive notification of the domain name registration, allowing them to take any appropriate action they feel necessary.
Wide range of eligible trademarks
Trademark owners can protect virtually any of their rights by submitting them to the TMCH. The scope of rights eligible for entry in the TMCH includes nationally or regionally registered trademarks from all jurisdictions (EU, US, AIPO, ARIPO), any mark validated through a court of law or other judicial proceeding and marks protected by a statute or a treaty in effect before or on 3rd June 2008.
Including the brand in the system
Entorno Digital is acting as an agent in front of TMCH, so if you are interested in include your trademark in TMCH you can proceed directly through our website
You can register now your trademark, the registration period shall run from the output of the first sunrise of the new gTLDs programm. For example, if you register your trademark in the TMCH systems in March 2013, this will be protected until August 2014.
Trademark Clearinghouse: Very important for you trademark
February 27, 2013
