CONFERENCE CALL
and the new gTLDs is a project that we have been following closely since 2009.
What are you going to do with your gTLDs?
We do not have a concrete plan to launch the new gTLDs externally at the moment; we still treat them as defensive IP assets.
However, we have been closely discussing with our management and business teams how possibly to exploit the gTLDs. One of the proposed uses would be internal use, including but not limited to use by our internal business teams, and by the merchants at our marketplaces and platforms.
What are the benefi ts of a new gTLD?
A new gTLD would, most importantly, provide fl exibility for an entity to adopt and use whatever it wants under that extension. In the past, we always had diffi culties in securing all extensions for a brand.
T e certainty of securing and controlling the use and registration of the domains under a new gTLD makes us more determined to develop our e-commerce and industry business in a more stable, safe and secure way.
Will a new gTLD help to protect against infringement?
Defi nitely. T e operation of new gTLD can help customers easily to identify an infringing website, and at the same time help brand owners to identify the same and take action. I like the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) and blocking mechanisms.
Of course that doesn’t mean brand owners do not have to take responsive actions to challenge the validity of any registered domains, but at least we can do something more to avoid ‘some’ infringing registrations. Under the new regime, the Uniform Rapid Suspension System (URS) also helps brand owners to cancel domain registrations containing their brands in a more cost-eff ective and speedy way.
How should organisations such as Alibaba be adjusting their brand protection strategies to incorporate changes brought by the new gTLDs?
For the preparation of the new gTLD launch, Alibaba Group reviewed and modifi ed our trademark portfolios. For the purpose of preparing for the second round of applications, we also fi led some new applications for trademarks that are potentially important to our businesses.
In the past we focused our defensive registrations on countries where we have a signifi cant local presence, such as China. However, we now try to
24 Trademarks & Brands Online
“THE CERTAINTY OF SECURING AND CONTROLLING THE USE AND REGISTRATION OF THE DOMAINS UNDER A NEW GTLD MAKES US MORE DETERMINED TO DEVELOP OUR E-COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY BUSINESS.”
register them in countries where we believe there would be signifi cant attention and a possibility of cybersquatting. Alibaba Group now has more than 8,000 trademark entries worldwide covering more than 150 countries.
How can you use a gTLD to enhance your brand?
In terms of a branded new gTLD, it can help with exposure. Currently we are using .com for most of our marketplaces, with clicks on the .net,
.com.cn and .cn sites redirected to the main site. Because what we are using is just a domain but not an extension, our brand is limited to the use on that .com domain. However, with the new gTLDs opening up, such as .alibaba, possible use of any domain under .alibaba can help with brand exposure.
Are you aiming mainly at Western or Chinese markets?
We are focusing on global markets. While we are a China-based company, our marketplaces are accessible worldwide. In the fi rst round, we applied for a .brand in English, as we are focusing on global Internet users.
In the second round, we are seriously considering applying for a .brand in Chinese for defensive purposes, as it seems to us that Chinese characters have become more and more popular as a domain.
Do you expect a rise in trademark infringement/cybersquatting?
Whenever we have new launches, there are more users and therefore more infringement and cybersquatting. Initially we believed that the launch of the new gTLDs posed a threat to brand owners, as there will be so many extensions
Volume 3, Issue 1
opening up, which means more areas where cybersquatters can work.
With the launch of the new gTLDs, we do reserve more
resources internally and externally to
combat these kinds of activities. Registering in the TMCH and blocking services, getting your domains in the sunrise periods, and challenging the validity of domains through the URS are challenges for brand owners in terms of resources and management of their portfolios. Brand owners should pay more attention and focus on the fast-growing domain and Internet world.
Edmon Chung, chief executive of DotAsia
What does the .asia gTLD offer?
T e .asia gTLD is relatively new. We were one of the fi rst wave of new gTLDs and have been in operation since March 2008. T e vision of the .asia domain is to leverage the collaborative spirit of the Asia Internet community towards broader regional development and growth. DotAsia is a not-for-profi t organisation, and proceeds from registrations go into community projects that support the adoption and development of the Internet in Asia.
We believe that .asia provides a friendly name for local businesses from Asia that are expanding across the region, as well as initiatives around the world looking to establish their presence in Asia.
What are your plans for .asia?
DotAsia is already supporting partners to enhance their presence and create new revenue streams
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