The Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) is a centralized database established by ICANN to protect holders of registered trademarks, geographical names, and indications of origin in view of the launch of the New Generic Top Level Domains (new gTLDs) in 2012. This program has led to the introduction of more than 1,200 new gTLDs, expanding the opportunities but also the challenges for online brand protection.
The expansion of gTLDs has not stopped: in fact, ICANN is planning a new round in 2026, when it will be possible to submit applications for additional new Top Level Domains. However, these opportunities can also translate into significant risks in the absence of proper oversight. Submitting a trademark into the TMCH is therefore a useful tool for protecting trademarks as it provides the following benefits:
- priority in registrations: exclusive access to the Sunrise phases of the new generic Top Level Domains, during which it is possible to register domain names corresponding to trademarks before registrations are open to the public (with at least 30 days of advantage!);
- automatic notifications: trademark holders receive immediate notification whenever a domain name identical to the trademark is registered by a third party in all new generic Top Level Domains;
- notification to the applicant: anyone attempting to register a domain name identical to a trademark submitted to the TMCH within the first 90 days of the launch of the new TLD will receive a communication informing them that the domain name corresponds to a trademark submitted to the TMCH;
- activation of trademark protection services: submitting a trademark to the TMCH allows to activate the blocking services offered by some registries, which allow to prevent third parties who are not entitled to register domain names identical to the trademark (and, in some cases, even some variations of the same) in all the extensions managed by the same registry.
Studio Barbero, as an accredited agent at the TMCH, directly assists companies in the recordal of trademarks into the TMCH and takes care of the activation and maintenance of the related notification and protection services.