ICANN's Trademark Clearinghouse - Launches March 26

The Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) - launching March 26 - is the most important rights protection mechanism built into ICANN’s new gTLD program. It allows brand owners to submit their trademark data into one centralized database, prior to and during the launch of new gTLDs. Simply put: The TMCH is a one-stop-solution for protecting your brand in the new gTLD era.

Any trademark holder, private person, or company can submit their trademark to the Clearinghouse. Download the Clearinghouse guidelines for all detailed information regarding eligibility. The TMCH protects brands in two ways: with a Sunrise Service and a Trademark Claims Service.

• Trademark holders will be able to submit their trademark information to a centralized repository.
  
• After verification, the trademark holder has fulfilled the basic (most important) condition to be able to register its corresponding domain name during the pre-registration period of multiple TLDs – also known as the "Sunrise period".
  
• Trademark holders will also have the option to be notified when someone registers a domain name that matches their record in the Clearinghouse.