Domain and Trademark Blog

Two of the world’s leading urban music stars are seeking the trademark to their baby daughter’s name, it has been reported.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are attempting to secure the legal rights to the name of their newborn Blue Ivy.
The trademark attempt comes after a New York designer filed a trademark application for the term …

A US court has given Gucci permission to sue an apparel retailer over the sale of counterfeit products, it has been reported.
According to Reuters, US District Judge Shira Scheindlin in Manhattan said the Italian luxury goods company is entitled to pursue claims of trademark infringement.
Guess Inc is accused of copying four Gucci designs, …

The board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has reaffirmed its commitment to opening a second round of applications in the new generic top level domain name (gTLD) program.
ICANN is looking to open another application window as soon as possible, allowing more organizations to apply for their …

It is of paramount importance that businesses take steps to protect themselves against cybersquatting activity, according to one law firm.
Stacey Jones and Sally Britton of Pitmans LLP explained that the surge in global internet usage in recent years has resulted in domain names becoming precious and sought-after commodities.
Cybersquatters have inevitably sought to …

A California cupcake company has settled a trademark dispute with a rival operator, it has been reported.
Beverly Hills-based Sprinkles brought legal action against a firm in Fairfield, Connecticut, which was calling itself Pink Sprinkles.
This business, which opened in 2009, is now calling itself the Pink Cupcake Shack in order to avoid infringing its …

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is seeking public comment on negative perceptions of the new generic top level domain name (gTLD) regime.
Last month, the organization opened a 90-day window for parties to submit applications for customized domain names.
But according to ICANN, as the time of the gTLD …

A trademark dispute between sports artist Daniel Moore and the University of Alabama is set to reach the federal appeals court, it has been reported.
According to the Insurance Journal, the school originally filed an infringement suit in 2005, alleging that Mr. Moore had violated its intellectual property rights by painting its football players …

Businesses operating in south-east Asia have been urged to purchase international domain names at an early stage.
Nguyen Tu Quang, general director of internet security company Bkav, said forward planning – in terms of registering domain names – can save money further along the line.
Speaking to Viet Nam News, he suggested that …

The US Commerce Department has been urged to locate its new Patent and Trademark Office in Pittsburgh, it has been reported.
US Senator Bob Casey believes the city would be the ideal location for a new outlet, due to its “first class workforce” and “burgeoning technology sector”.
“A Patent and Trademark Office in the heart …

The use of trademarks as domain names may constitute infringement, it has been claimed.
According to Lawdit, the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) offers protection to trademark owners in this area.
The UDRP gives them the legal right to seek the transfer of a domain that is identical …