Brands should block .XXX domains or risk embarrassment
Intellectual Property lawyers are warning brands to block their trademarks from being registered for the new .XXX internet domains, which are open for applications from today, or risk the consequences.
As the .XXX domains are primarily intended for the adult industry, brand owners can block their trademarks from being registered for one of the addresses.
This is unique among domain names, and recognition of the damage brands may face if a malicious 'cybersquatter' registered their name on their behalf.
"Cybersquatters could register existing business names on the domain to mislead people searching for your brand," said Shipley IP's Ben Prangell.
Douglas Thomson, trademark attorney at Marks & Clerk, added: "Cybersquatting – whereby opportunists buy up branded domain names in the hope of re-selling them – is a problem across the net, but has the potential for uniquely embarrassing and damaging consequences in this case.
"The only sure way to protect their brands cheaply is by blocking them from the .XXX domain. A block can be put on domain names as soon as the sunrise period opens on 7 September.”