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MarkMonitor®, the global leader in enterprise brand protection, has announced the availability of a free generic top-level domain (gTLD) database designed to help brands understand the impact of the new gTLD applications. Users of the database can quickly sift through data provided by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to identify applications of concern and map their brand protection strategy.

"The new gTLD program represents a historic expansion of the Internet namespace and presents many decision points and questions to brands as they seek to understand how these new gTLDs will affect their intellectual property and domain portfolios," said Frederick Felman, chief marketing officer of MarkMonitor. "We are committed to safeguarding brands online and our gTLD database is one of many ways we can support brands through this process."

Brands can use the MarkMonitor gTLD Application Database to help identify applications that affect their intellectual property and how they conduct business on the Internet. The database offers easy searching of all publicly available application information such as gTLD, applicant name, contact information and application purpose. Current MarkMonitor clients will also have access to enhanced features such as custom reports. MarkMonitor will add more information at a later date, including category, a brief description of the gTLD, risk assessment, similarity to other applications and infrastructure provider.

According to the rules set by ICANN for the new gTLD program, if a rights' holder identifies a problem with an application, he or she can submit comments or file formal objections with ICANN. Comments submitted within the first 60 days will be taken under consideration by evaluators, so prompt action is advised. MarkMonitor highly recommends that companies navigating the gTLD process also work closely with their own trade organizations to file community objections in cases where a competitor has applied for a generic term which it plans to operate as a closed TLD.

Pricing and availability
MarkMonitor is providing access to this database at no cost. It is available at https://www.markmonitor.com/gtlddatabase. Existing clients can access enhanced features through the MarkMonitor customer portal.

About MarkMonitor

MarkMonitor®, the world leader in enterprise brand protection and a Thomson Reuters Intellectual Property & Science business, uses a SaaS delivery model to provide advanced technology and expertise that protects the revenues and reputations of the world's leading brands. (Learn More)

Related topics: Cybersquatting, Domain Names, ICANN, Top-Level Domains