Changes

The '''Trademark Clearinghouse''' ('''TMC''') is a database of trademarks that will be established by [[ICANN]] in order to enhance the protection of [[Intellectual Property|intellectual property]] on the Internet.<ref>[http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/03/icann-to-create-trademark-clea.php techdailydose.nationaljournal.com]</ref> The main role of TMC is to serve as a central repository for the information related to the rights of trademark owners to be stored, authenticated and distributed.<ref>[http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/1971874/icann-creates-trademark-clearinghouse v3.co.uk]</ref><ref>[http://www.infolawgroup.com/tags/trademark-clearinghouse/ infolawgroup.com]</ref> When a customer attempts to register a new domain and the domain matches up with a trademark existing in the TMC, the customer will receive a warning that the creation of the domain may be considered [[cybersquatting]].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/trademark-clearinghouse-coming-in-october/ Trademark Clearinghouse coming in October, domainincite.com]</ref> Use of the TMC is required for all new [[gTLD]] [[Registry|registries]].<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-rfp-clean-12nov10-en.pdf Draft Applicant Guidebook, November 12, 2010; Retrieved June 1, 2011]</ref>

The '''Trademark Clearinghouse''' ('''TMC''' or '''TMCH''') is a database of trademarks that will be established by [[ICANN]] in order to enhance the protection of [[Intellectual Property|intellectual property]] on the Internet.<ref>[http://techdailydose.nationaljournal.com/2010/03/icann-to-create-trademark-clea.php techdailydose.nationaljournal.com]</ref> The main role of TMC is to serve as a central repository for the information related to the rights of trademark owners to be stored, authenticated and distributed.<ref>[http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/1971874/icann-creates-trademark-clearinghouse v3.co.uk]</ref><ref>[http://www.infolawgroup.com/tags/trademark-clearinghouse/ infolawgroup.com]</ref> When a customer attempts to register a new domain and the domain matches up with a trademark existing in the TMC, the customer will receive a warning that the creation of the domain may be considered [[cybersquatting]].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/trademark-clearinghouse-coming-in-october/ Trademark Clearinghouse coming in October, domainincite.com]</ref> Use of the TMC is required for all new [[gTLD]] [[Registry|registries]].<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/draft-rfp-clean-12nov10-en.pdf Draft Applicant Guidebook, November 12, 2010; Retrieved June 1, 2011]</ref>

ICANN estimates that the TMC will become operational in October 2012. Currently there are five companies out of nine original applicants in the running for TMC operator; ICANN expects to make its final decision in February.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/board-briefing-materials-4-05jan12-en.pdf New gTLDs: Trademark Clearinghouse Implementation, ICANN Board minutes, 1/5/12]</ref>

ICANN estimates that the TMC will become operational in October 2012. Currently there are five companies out of nine original applicants in the running for TMC operator; ICANN expects to make its final decision in February.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/board-briefing-materials-4-05jan12-en.pdf New gTLDs: Trademark Clearinghouse Implementation, ICANN Board minutes, 1/5/12]</ref>