As we reported in the August 22, 2011, Duane Morris Alert, " Inception of the Online Red Light District: ICANN to Launch Top-level Domain Extension This Fall," the launch of the .XXX sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) is on the horizon. On September 7, 2011, ICM Registry LLC will begin accepting "Sunrise" applications to block .XXX domain names, for brand owners in and outside of the adult entertainment industry ("Sponsored Community"). Brand owners who are not in the Sponsored Community, but want to control their brand's exposure in the online adult space may wish to consider the following:

  • Under the applicable Sunrise period, "Sunrise B," a brand owner has the opportunity to block a .XXX domain name. This means the applicant is not actually registering the domain name. It is more of an "opt-out" period, making the brand unable to be registered as a .XXX domain name.
  • The subject brand has to be registered as a trademark by September 1, 2011, in the United States or any foreign jurisdiction.
  • The applicant to block the .XXX domain name must be the owner, assignee or licensee of the registered trademark.
  • The application to block the .XXX domain name can be filed as early as September 7, 2011, and as late as October 28, 2011.
  • An application requires the applicant to provide trademark registration and contact details, in addition to a list of .XXX domain names to be blocked.
  • The block will remain in place for 10 years.
  • Whois ownership information for the applicant is masked for the 10-year block period, and the domain name will resolve to a blank holding page.
  • The cost for a 10-year block is about $250 to $350 per domain name.
  • General registration (defensive registration) of .XXX domain names will be available after December 6, 2011.
  • General registration means the applicant registers and owns the .XXX domain name, instead of merely blocking it.
  • The cost of general registration is $100 per year, and is open to anyone.
  • Whois ownership information for general registrations will not necessarily be masked.

For those brand owners within the Sponsored Community who are interested in securing .XXX domain names, "Sunrise A" is the appropriate Sunrise period. This period also runs from September 7, 2011, to October 28, 2011. Sunrise A .XXX domain registration is available to applicants who:

  • Are engaged in eligible commerce for registration under an issued, qualifying trademark registration and who satisfy the ICM Registry LLC definition of the adult "Sponsored Community" or
  • Own and operate an existing domain name in another gTLD or ccTLD (in connection with eligible commerce for registration in the .XXX) and who satisfy the ICM Registry LLC definition of the adult "Sponsored Community."

If you have any questions on applying to block or register a .XXX domain name, please contact Mark A. Steiner, Christiane Campbell, any member of the Intellectual Property Practice Group or the attorney in the firm with whom you are regularly in contact.

This article is for general information and does not include full legal analysis of the matters presented. It should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The description of the results of any specific case or transaction contained herein does not mean or suggest that similar results can or could be obtained in any other matter. Each legal matter should be considered to be unique and subject to varying results. The invitation to contact the authors or attorneys in our firm is not a solicitation to provide professional services and should not be construed as a statement as to any availability to perform legal services in any jurisdiction in which such attorney is not permitted to practice.

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