CPA Global Takes a Lead in Helping Clients Protect and Develop Their Brands Online as Domain Space Set to Expand

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, September 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

CPA Global, the world's leading intellectual property (IP) management and software specialist, announced today that it will be providing a range of support services to help clients protect and develop their brands online as the Internet domain space expands significantly through the new Generic Top Level Domains (gTLD) program.

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Services include support for new gTLD launches, monitoring gTLD applications by other parties that might impact on a client's brand or trademark, and managing Trademark Clearing House registrations.

The Trademark Clearing House (TMCH) is a key mechanism within the New gTLD Program that is being introduced by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) - the governing body of the internet domain name system. There will be three new categories of gTLDs, covering brands (eg .brand); generic sectors or subjects, (eg .food); and geographies (eg .London). The first of these expanded gTLDs are expected to be launched before the end of 2013.

"With the anticipated increase in the number of domain extensions, trademark owners will face even greater challenges when assessing their brand development and protection policies," said Catherine La Rooy, Head of Domains at CPA Global. "The TMCH, for example, is an important registration and rights protection mechanism within the gTLD program, but there is still some confusion and concern surrounding it. The fact is that big changes are coming to the domain name sector, and trademark owners need to be prepared for them. CPA Global will be supporting clients with gTLD launches and extended monitoring, as well as the TMCH registration and management process."

The TMCH is a global repository for trademark data. To enrol, trademark holders must submit certain information pertaining to their trademark, such as the registration data, example proof of use, and a signed declaration of use. The TMCH will then validate this data against that held in the relevant Trademark Office.

While trademark professionals familiarize themselves with the intricacies of these industry changes, La Rooy said that trademark owners need to have a good understanding of the two primary functions of the TMCH: the 'Sunrise' pre-registration period and the 'Trademark Claims' period.

With the launch of every new gTLD, there is a 'Sunrise' period of at least 30 days before general registration, which gives trademark holders priority on registrations. This is followed by a 'Trademark Claims' period of at least 90 days, during which the TMCH issues warning notices to prospective domain name registrants who are attempting to register a domain name that matches a trademark term in the TMCH.

About The Trademark Clearinghouse

According to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), "The Trademark Clearinghouse is a global repository for trademark data, the first of its kind in the domain name space. Designed to meet global needs of the domain name system, the Trademark Clearinghouse will: (i) verify trademark data from multiple global regions; and (ii) maintain a database with the verified trademark records. The verified data in the Trademark Clearinghouse will be used to support both Trademark Claims and Sunrise Services, required in all new gTLDs. The Clearinghouse will play an important role in the New gTLD Program and in the ongoing protection of trademark rights."

About CPA Global

CPA Global is the world's leading intellectual property (IP) management and IP software specialist, and an international provider of outsourced legal services.  With offices across Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific, CPA Global supports many of the world's best known corporations and law firms with a range of IP and broader legal services, helping them to manage risk, cost and capacity, and realize greater value for their businesses and IP assets.  

CPA Global helps corporates and law firms in managing valuable IP Rights, such as patents, designs and trademarks, ensuring that IP portfolios are protected, maintained and regularly reviewed in order to maximize value. Working closely with its clients, CPA Global ensures they have the best information on which to base IP decisions, and the best support in terms of helping implement those decisions.

Services include patent and trademark renewals; patent research and analytics; trademark watching; domains management; as well as other IP support services such as docketing. In IP software, CPA Global offers four market-leading IP management software solutions (FoundationIP, Inprotech, Ipendo, and Memotech) tailored towards different types of clients and their specific needs; First To File, the market-leading electronic document management system for IP; as well as Discover, one of the world's most advanced patent search platforms.

Founded in Jersey, Channel Islands in 1969, CPA Global today employs some 1,600 people, serving clients' needs in 200 jurisdictions through its own offices and an extensive agent network. CPA Global's diverse client list ranges from major global corporations, headquartered in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, to small and medium-sized enterprises and innovation start-ups; and from top international law firms to national and regional law and IP firms.  For further information, please visit: http://www.cpaglobal.com

Media Contacts:

United States:
Julie Mandell +1-571-227-7025, [email protected]
Christy Burke +1-917-261-2845, [email protected]

United Kingdom:
Steve Clark +44(0)20-7549-5504, [email protected]
Victoria Knowles +44(0)20-7549-4585, [email protected]

SOURCE CPA Global