What Do the New gTLDs Mean for Brand Trademark Protection?

The Internet will soon expand as ICANN grants a new group of generic top-level domain names (“gTLDs”) in coming months. Instead of only  the usual “.com” or “.org”  suffixes to which we are accustomed, we will now start to see “.yourbrand” website addresses. While the deadline for a brand applying for its own gTLD has passed, marketers still need to pay attention to this development. The new gTLDs will bring in a flood of cybersquatters. Any brand whose customers find them by searching  the Internet or any brand that generates revenue on the Internet should work quickly with legal counsel to create  an action plan to protect its  trademarks.