January 2015 saw the total number of domain name registrations across nearly 500 new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) reach four million. In the same month, about 400 new gTLD related complaints had been filed under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) or Uniform Rapid Suspension system (URS). These figures give us the opportunity to consider whether we are seeing the high levels of cybersquatting many predicted, or in fact witnessing just a few unscrupulous third parties seeking to usurp brands and prey on unwitting consumers.We can also ask the following questions. Are sunrise periods for brand owners proving as popular as they once were? How is the traditional UDRP coping? Is the new kid on the block, the URS, living up to expectations? ....More
New gTLDs: report card for rights protection mechanisms
The start of the new year is appropriate for a performance review, so David Taylor, partner at law firm Hogan Lovells, assesses the popularity of the new gTLD sunrise periods and the progress of the UDRP and URS.