ASCII characters supported by .在线 (Dot Chinese Online) and .中文网 (Dot Chinese Website)

In a previous blog post we announced the launch of .在线 (Dot Chinese Online) and .中文网 (Dot Chinese Website). You can read it here.

What was not clear at the time, was whether English domain names (ASCII characters) would be accepted? Well, YOU CAN.

It is possible to apply for domain names such as lexsynergy.在线 and lexsynergy.中文网.

The TLDs are currently in the Sunrise phase so if you have a validated trade mark we recommend that you submit your application before it ends on 17 March 2013.

Email brandprotection@lexsynergy.com should require assistance or advice on how to protect your trade mark within these new gTLDs and others.

Join the .club

Today (28 January 2013) was the launch of the Sunrise period for the new gTLD .club. The Sunrise period ends on 29 March 2014.

The .club TLD is targeted towards a wide range of markets as depicted in the .club pyramid of passion below.

This unrestricted new gTLD is ideal for an social community, loyalty, fan or affinity group.

If you are a member of a club or operate any form of club this TLD may be an alternative to the current domain name extensions out there. The most prominent club that springs to mind is the loyalty club usually marketed through a club card or other loyalty program, the natural online extension would then appear to be a .club domain name.

Email brandprotection@lexsynergy.com should you require assistance or advice on how to protect your trade mark within this new gTLD and others.

New gTLD Trade Mark Protection Flow Chart

You have a registered trade mark and want to protect it within the new domain name extensions (new gTLDs) but you are unsure of the process to follow

OR

You don't have a registered trade mark and would like to secure a domain name for the mark you use.

The flow chart below sets out three routes you can follow:

• registered trade mark route;
• landrush (medium risk) route; and
• general availability (high risk) route.

We are aware that some new gTLDs have unique rules but in essence the vast majority should follow the chart we created.

The key at the foot of the flowchart briefly explains the acronyms used in the new gTLD process, which can be overwhelming for "newbies" to the domain name industry.

Click on chart to enlarge

The recommended route to take for any trade mark owner is the blue route. 

The blue route involves:

1. Validating your trade mark via a TMCH agent such as Lexsynergy.
2. Blocking your mark (an identical match) via the DPML. This only covers new gTLDs operated by the registry called Donuts, which amounts to approximately 300 new gTLDs.
3. Submitting a Sunrise application for non-Donuts new gTLDs such as .sexy and .uno. 
4. If you are the only applicant then you will be awarded the domain name. If not, you may have to dig deep in the auction to submit the highest bid. The domain name is allocated to the highest bidder.

It is possible under the Mark Validation System (MVS) to validate unregistered rights such as common law trade marks and company names but the MVS only applies to .africa, .joburg, .durban and .capetown.

Contact us to arrange a free discussion on how best to protect your trade mark within the new gTLDs. We provide bespoke domain name strategy advice for trade mark owners and trade mark attorneys.

email: brandprotection@lexsynergy.com or call one of our offices http://www.lexsynergy.com/contact-lexsynergy

Early Access Program "EAP" - Starts 29 Jan 2014

The Early Access Program ("EAP") replaces the traditional landrush for all Donuts new gTLDs. Donuts applied for over 300 new gTLDs and has since launched over 45 of them.

The EAP starts on 29 January 2014 and lasts for 7 days until 4 February 2014 (16:00 UTC start and end time).

The first batch includes the following new gTLDs:

.ventures
.holdings
.clothing
.plumbing
.bike
.singles
.guru

EAP applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis with no restrictions.

Each of the EAP days has a different price attached to it. If you register on Day 1, you pay the highest price. If you register on the 5th to 7th day you pay the lowest price.

The trick is to register your domain name at an affordable price without losing out to another party. The selection of day and consequently price is dependent on how badly you want the domain name.

The fees of an EAP registration decreases as the days progress. (The prices below include Lexsynergy and EAP registry once-off application fees).

Day 1 ­‐ $10 500 
Day 2 - $2 800
Day 3 - $1100
Day 4 - $590
Day 5 - 7 - $150

In addition to the above fees, the standard registration fee will have to be paid, which starts from $23.78 per year. The registration fee is dependent on whether the domain name is classified as a premium domain name or not. Some reserved domain names may not be available for registration.

If you want to register a domain name during the EAP or want a quote send an email to domains@lexsynergy.com with the subject line EAP.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it's a DOMAIN!

Well, technically the kiwi (small flightless bird grounded in New Zealand) does not fly but the new generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) .kiwi may get off to a flying start.

For those that do not follow the sport of cricket, the word kiwi is also the nickname for a New Zealander.

.kiwi launched its Sunrise on 16 January 2014, which will end on 17 March 2014. During this period trade mark owners from across the globe with a validated trade mark can apply to register a .kiwi domain name matching their trade mark, such as lexsynergy.kiwi.

.kiwi does not have a local presence requirement although it is focused on providing New Zealanders, New Zealand businesses and brands with a unique online presence.

Read more about .kiwi at lexsynergy.com/kiwi

Lexsynergy is an accredited .kiwi registrar and trademark clearinghouse agent and able to assist you in securing your trade marks within this new gTLD.

Email brandprotection@lexsynergy.com should require assistance or advice on how to protect your trade marks within the new gTLDs.

.САЙТ (.site) and .ОНЛАЙН (.online) launched

The launch of new Cyrillic domain name extensions is upon us.

.ОНЛАЙН and .САЙТ is Cyrillic for .online and .site, which is an ideal extension for those who use this script, especially in Russia, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan and the Ukraine.

Launch Phase: One Single 60-day Launch Phase for 4 Categories

The Launch Phase for .САЙТ will start on 16 January 2014 and will end on 18 March 2014 11:59:59 UTC.

During the single 60 calendar launch period, four categories of applications will be accepted.

Applications for all 4 categories will be accepted simultaneously and will be allocated at the end of this single 60-day Launch Phase window according to the hierarchy of priority status of each category.

The categories are the following,  according to priority status (from top-priority to lesser priority):

Priority 1 Category: End-Date Sunrise Period

TMCH validated marks in Cyrillic script.

Holders of trademarks in Cyrillic script from any jurisdiction, which fulfill the following three requirements:

(i) have been validated by the Trademark Clearinghouse for Sunrise Services;

(ii) provide a valid SMD file;

(iii) if they are registered trademarks, they were applied on or before 13 June 2012 and granted on or before 14 Jul 2013; or if they are trademarks protected by a statute or treaty that such statute or treaty was in effect on or before 26 June 2008.

Should there be more than one eligible application for the same domain in this Sunrise Period category, the contention will be solved through an auction process.

Priority 2 Category: Additional Trademark Limited Registration Period

Limited registration period for trademarks in Cyrillic script registered in the OHIM, Bulgaria Macedonia, Russia, Serbia and/or Ukraine.

The following trademarks not validated by the Trademark Clearinghouse are eligible under this category:

(i) Trademarks in Cyrillic script registered within the OHIM or the Trademark Offices of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Russia, Serbia and/or Ukraine applied on or before 13 June 2012 and granted on or before 14 Jul 2013. CORE will thoroughly and individually check the fulfillment of this eligibility requirement by validating each trademark with the relevant Trademark Office database; and

(ii) Trademarks in Cyrillic script protected by a statute or treaty that such statute or treaty was in effect on or before 26 June 2008.

The conversion of these trademarks into labels will follow the TMCH Guidelines.

Should there be more than one eligible application for the same domain in this category, the contention will be solved through an auction process.

Priority 3 Category: Transliteration Limited Registration Period

Limited registration period for transliteration or transcription of Latin script TMCH validated marks into Cyrillic-script labels.

Holders of trademarks in Latin script from any jurisdiction, which fulfill the following three requirements:

(i) have been validated by the Trademark Clearinghouse for Sunrise Services;

(ii) provide a valid SMD file;

(iii) if they are registered trademarks, they were applied on or before 13 June 2012 and granted on or before 14 Jul 2013; or if they are trademarks protected by a statute or treaty that such statute or treaty was in effect on or before 26 June 2008.

Eligible trademarks under this category will be transliterated or transcribed into Cyrillic script according to CORE’s Guidelines, and subject to CORE’s individual review and approval.

Should there be more than one eligible application for the same domain in this category, the contention will be solved through an auction process.

Landrush

For registrants without priority rights.

Any Cyrillic script string that meets side/online general eligibility requirements. No prior rights need to be claimed for application of this category.

Should there be more than one eligible application for the same domain in this category, the contention will be solved through an auction process.

General Availability Period (25 March 2014 - onwards)

Registrations are processed on a first come, first served basis.

There are no restrictions.

We are an accredited registrar and trademark clearinghouse agent and able to assist you in securing your trade marks within these new gTLDs. Email brandprotection@lexsynergy.com should require assistance or advice on how to protect your trade marks within the new gTLDs.

Bid-on-.BID!

A .BID domain name will enable its owner to increase conversion rates on click through volumes.

A user would click on a web address ending in .BID to buy or sell something.

Registrants in the .bid name space can rest assured their new domain name is:

• Intriguing & easily recognisable domain names
• A call to action which will convert clicks into transactions
• Unique - no other comparable suffix is, or will be, available

Download the .BID information sheet here.

.Bid reservation program

Bid-on-.BID is an innovative pre-sunrise reservation program run by the .BID domain name registry to allow you to secure a domain name in a commercially compelling and exciting new domain name suffix.

.BID Reservation program is split into two phases Bid-on-.BID and First-Come-First-Served (FCFS).

All reservations will be subject to Sunrise registrations and the Trademark claims period, as well as conditional upon any ICANN requirements such as name collisions block lists.

Phase 1: Bid-on-.BID (20 January 2014 14:00 UTC - 14 February 2014 10:00 UTC )

Anyone can submit bids for .BIDsecond level domains. The minimum bid is $20.00.

In the event you are the highest bidder at the closing date, and subject to availability and Sunrise registrations, the domain name will be registered to you at the earliest possible juncture.

Phase 2: FCFS reservations (From 19 February 2014 14:00 UTC - end of Sunrise)

Reservations are accepted on a first come first served basis at the Landrush price of £25 or $42.50. No further Bid-on-.BID reservations will be accepted. 

Submit your bid to brandprotection@lexsynergy.com including your Lexsynergy username. Our team will then email you instructions on how to finalise your bid.

If you do not have a username register an account at https://www.lexsynergy.com/register

.UNO - The Spanish Extension

.UNO in an alternative to.com and gives business and individuals the unique opportunity to create a nice market for the Latino and Spanish speaking communities.

The Surnise period started on 9 December 2013 and will end on 7 February 2014. You can read more about .UNO on our website at http://www.lexsynergy.com/uno. 

Watch the .UNO promotional video in Spanish and English.

Spanish video

English video

We are an accredited registrar and trademark clearinghouse agent and able to assist you in securing your trade marks within this new gTLDs. Email brandprotection@lexsynergy.com should require assistance or advice on how to protect your trade marks within the new gTLDs.

New Chinese Extensions Launched

The Sunrise for .在线 (Dot Chinese Online) and .中文网 (Dot Chinese Website) commenced on 17 January 2014 and will end on 17 March 2014. 

More information can be found at http://www.lexsynergy.com/dot-chinese-online and http://www.lexsynergy.com/dot-chinese-website. The video below explains the benefits of registering domain names within .在线 and .中文网 TLDs.

The Chinese Internet market is one of the largest in the world and as such is often exploited by squatters who profit from domain name registrations that match international trade marks. It is for this reason important to take a defensive position and make sure that your Chinese marks are secured within these two new gTLDs.

We are an accredited registrar and trademark clearinghouse agent and able to assist you in securing your trade marks within these new gTLDs. Email brandprotection@lexsynergy.com should require assistance or advice on how to protect your trade marks within the new gTLDs.

There is a .buzz in the air

The launch of the new gTLDs is gaining momentum. We are regularly updating our launch timetable, which lists the imminent launch dates with a link to more information about each new gTLD. We encourage trademark owners and clients to visit the timetable (accessible here) to make sure they secure their trademark as a domain name during the Sunrise (trademark priority registration period).

One of the next new gTLDs to launch is .buzz. The operators of .buzz describe their gTLD as "The mission and purpose of the new .BUZZ top level domain is to provide registration space for registrants seeking to label their Internet-based content as noteworthy and as what's happening right now. Creating buzz around a brand, product, service, news, event or location is the goal of advertising and marketing professionals. Create buzz and everyone is talking about you."

Social media is now an essential part of business operations requiring trademark owners to react to social interaction via the various social networks (e.g. Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin). .Buzz could be used to facilitate social interaction with clients and customers.  At the very least, it should be registered for defensive purposes.

Register your .buzz domain name with Lexsynergy. Launch date is 15 January 2014.