Released on: October 15, 2008, 12:22 pm

Press Release Author: Cash Klemchuk Powers Taylor

Industry: Internet

Press Release Summary: ICANN pushes new top level domain names.

Press Release Body: On November 1, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers (ICANN) will meet in Cairo, Egypt to discuss the introduction of new top
level domain names (gTLD), current examples in use are .com, .net, and .biz. The
proposal calls for the adoption of new gTLDs to facilitate choice and competition in
the domain name registration services. ICANN's proposal will include the
introduction of geographic designations, such country or territory codes (.us and
.uk) as well as city names. These new designations would require supporting
documentation for registration.

"ICANN's goal is to give end-users more choice in their presence on the Internet and
stimulate competition," said Darin M. Klemchuk. "However, critics have compared the
introduction of new domains with the printing of money: the value of your current
registration is decreased because of possible brand dilution and public confusion,
while the cost of protecting one's brand increases."

ICANN encourages users to avoid registering gTLDs that are confusingly similar to an
already existing gTLD in order to prevent confusion in the marketplace. The
introduction of new gTLDs will increase the open avenues for registering confusingly
similar variations of brand names. ICANN encourages applicants to adopt curative
measures, such as Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), to cure such confusion.
Additional preventative measures include the registration of many domain names.
"With the multiplication of top level domain registrations, businesses will
experience difficulty in policing their brands online and will likely incur
substantial costs," noted Mr. Klemchuk. "This expansion of domain names will also
make phishing schemes more prevalent. All of this will require businesses to be
more vigilant and proactive in protecting their online brands."

Darin M. Klemchuk, an intellectual property trial lawyer, focuses his practice on
patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and other intellectual property
litigation and enforcement. In addition, Mr. Klemchuk has extensive experience
representing clients in commercial and business disputes, particularly software
development, trade-secret, and non-compete disputes. Recently named by D Magazine as
one the "Best Lawyers in Dallas," for the second year in a row, Mr. Klemchuk also
focuses on intellectual-property licensing and technology agreements and serves as
local counsel for out of state plaintiffs and defendants involved in patent,
trademark, copyright, IP, and commercial litigation in the state and federal courts
in Dallas, Texas.

CKPT offers a broad range of services in addition to intellectual property including
commercial litigation and business litigation as well as corporate counseling on
mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and securities. Located in Dallas, Texas,
CKPT supports a client base that ranges from individuals and startups to established
companies. Further information on these services is available at www.ckptlaw.com.
For more information on the intellectual property practice of CKPT, please visit
www.ckptip.com.


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