Beware Of The New .xxx Top Level Domain Category

As if protecting against top level domain (TLD) category infringement wasn’t complicated enough, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) has authorized a new .xxx TLD category and registry for “adult entertainment” purposes. Those who apply are supposed to be in the “adult entertainment” business, i.e., pornography and related business activities.

The company currently running the registry for the .xxx TLD has announced it will accept notices from trademark owners to permanently block .xxx registrations using their trademarks. The “Sunrise B” period is from September 7 to October 28, 2011, and is offered at no cost to those who can establish their trademark or brand rights in a name.

If you don’t want to find your brand or trademark used in an .xxx listing, you are well advised to take action now to prevent it. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you are in a potentially expensive intellectual property ownership fight.