Companies start 'domain name battle'

Companies are attempting to file trademarks for top level domain names (TLD), even though applications are yet to be accepted, it has been reported.

Domain Name Wire stated that the Colored Planet of Connecticut has filed for the .eco domain name, while .kids, .books, .baby and .golf are other domain names where trademarks have been filed.

The news resource questioned why companies would trademark a TLD that does not yet operate and suggested a number of reasons.

It noted that it could be an attempt to increase their influence with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, "either when applying for a TLD or if it is ever assigned to a different registry. It may also use it to lodge a claim at another company that applies for a TLD".

New European Union rules have been adopted to allow the .eu domain name to be available in the alphabets used by Bulgarians, Greeks and Cypriots.

Written by Debra Hastings-Henry