A new TLDN (Top Level Domain Name), .ASIA is being launched and trade mark owners once again may benefit in the rush for the registration of .asia domain names.Registration of an .asia domain name may help the owner establish a presence in one of the fastest growing regions in the world.
Owners of trade mark registrations which were applied for before December 2006 and which are issued and valid at the date of application for a .asia domain name can apply during the Phase 2 of the sunrise period (November 13, 2007 – January 15 2008).
Those who do not own a trade mark or a registered company name will have to apply during the landrush period in February 2008.It is anticipated the .asia will go live in March 2008.
International trade mark registration system (Madrid Protocol) – Oman to join on October 16, 2007
Oman will join the above system on October 16, 2007. This brings the number of parties who have signed up to the Madrid Protocol to 74. The International trade mark system is way of obtaining trade mark protection in a number of territories by filing a single application at the World Intellectual Property Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland and designating some or all of the contracting parties. Fees are payable to each territory designated. International Registrations must be based on a “home” application or registration and are dependent on that registration for the first five years of their lives. There can be considerable costs savings in using the system compared to filing national trade mark applications in the individual territories of interest. Members include the USA, Australia, Japan, China, South Korea and the EU can be designated.
For further information, please contact Ann Roome.
