Domain/trademark checker launched

Global domain name registrar, NetNames has launched a combined domain name and trademark checker.

The free checker enables users to query the company’s worldwide domain availability engine with an option to run a simultaneous trademark check at no charge.

With the World Intellectual Property Organization reporting a 20 per cent increase last year in cybersquatting (speculative domain purchase) disputes, the domain trademark check appears to be well timed, especially for companies with ambitions to export.

By combining the two functions, the new NetNames service will flag up before registration whether a domain name could infringe existing trademarks. The service will also provide organisations with greater visibility of any likely competition for their .eu domain name applications. If there is a potential conflict, details of the trademark holder will be available from £19 per keyword.

The service checks domain name searches against pending and registered trademarks from the US federal trademark database (USPTO) and the European Community Trademark (CTM) database for any possible infringements. The CTM gives brands uniform protection in all 25 countries of the European Union on the strength of a single registration procedure with the Office for Harmonization.

NetNames also offer a supplementary “similarity search” option within the checker. This search is helpful as the user can refine search criteria by breaking down a name into individual words, which can then be checked against the NetNames Trademark Database.

Jonathan Robinson, Chief Operating Officer at NetNames, said: “One of the most important yet difficult aspects of establishing a new brand is selecting the right name. There has been a growing demand in the market for greater visibility of potential trademark infringements.”

The combined domain/trademark checker does carry the disclaimer, “This search function is NOT designed as a professional trademark service, but aims to encourage basic trademark awareness in relation to the specified trademark databases. If you are considering submitting a trademark application, we strongly advise you contact a professional trademark attorney to conduct a thorough pre-application search.”