Domain and Trademark Blog

A reality TV pop group has been forced to change its name following a complaint over duplication.
X Factor UK contestants Rhythmix – who have safely negotiated the first live shows of the 2011 season – need a new moniker after it was revealed the trademark is already owned by a children’s music charity.
Not-for-profit …

Trademarks can be registered in almost all countries around the world, it has been reported.
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), every national or regional office maintains a Register of Trademarks which contains full application information on all registrations and renewals.
This enables third-parties to examine, search, and raise opposition to trademark …

The creation of a dot-Africa generic top level domain (gTLD) will offer significant benefits to businesses and organizations located in the continent, it has been claimed.
Speaking at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ Senegal meeting, Sophia Bekele, executive director of the non-profit group DotConnectAfrica, claimed that a new top …

A cybersquatting dispute is hotting up between the owner of RedTube.com and the holder of several similar domain names.
According to Xbiz, Bright Imperial Ltd, which owns RedTube.com, has filed a federal lawsuit against the operators of the websites Red-Tube.com, RedTube.net and 27 similar domain names.
This is the third cybersquatting suit brought …

An injured Long Island iron worker has attempted to register a trademark for ‘Occupy Wall Street’.
Robert Maresca, along with his wife Diane, has filed an application to trademark the protest movement’s name, in the hope that they can sell official merchandise.
The duo’s application stated that ‘Occupy Wall Street’ branded goods have the …

Organizations which are interested in securing a generic top level domain name (gTLD) now have further information on the application process.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has created an interactive demonstration of the online application system, which is now available to be viewed on the organisation’s gTLD microsite.
According to …

Much work still needs to be done if people around the world are to have equal access to the internet and the benefits it brings, it has been claimed.
Rod Beckstrom, president and chief executive officer at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) joined with ICANN board chair Steve Crocker …

Another country has completed the String Evaluation on a proposed internationalized domain name (IDN) country code top level domain (ccTLD), it has been revealed.
Malaysia has now reached the String Delegation stage of its IDN application, under the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ (ICANN) fast-track process created in November 2009.
It …

Organizations can use the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) to enforce their rights against third parties, it has been reported.
Writing for Lawdit.co.uk, Owen Ross explained that the UDRP sets the legal framework for resolving disputes between domain name holders and third parties over abusive registrations.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned …

A restaurant chain has failed in attempts to secure a new trial in its trademark infringement case against an Horry County firefighter.
A federal judge denied Firehouse Subs’ request for another day in court, as its long-running battle against Heath Scurfield continues, reports the Sun News.
The restaurant first sued the defendant in 2008, after …