Tips from the Trademark Insider: New .CO Domain Name Extensions to Be Released - What Trademark Owners Need to Know

With the .COM inventory nearly exhausted, .CO domains will be a perfectly positioned alternative domain extension. Recognized universally as the abbreviation for "company", .CO is the ideal domain to extend a company’s brand's reach and expand its web presence.

However, there is a downside to the upcoming release of the .CO domains, a potential for typo-squaters – those who register domain names that are one letter off of famous or registered trademarks – to divert Internet traffic away from the trademark holders.

Here’s what you need to know about the release and registration process should you wish to extend your domain name holdings and preclude a typo-squater from diverting traffic away from your Internet presence.

April 1st - Local Sunrise Period for Colombian Trademarks Opens

The Local Sunrise gives holders of Colombian trademarks first priority before the Global Sunrise Period opens to all other trademark holders. Only those that hold a Colombian trademark may apply for registrations during the Local Sunrise Period. All applications will be validated, and in the event there are multiple valid applications for the same string, an auction will be conducted to determine which applicant is awarded the domain.

To apply under the Local Sunrise Period Colombian Trademarks must be registered on or before July 30, 2008.

April 26th – Global Sunrise Period Opens

The Global Sunrise Period allows all trademark holders to submit applications for the .CO domain names corresponding with their trademarks before the registration of .CO domain names are open to the public. In the event there are multiple valid applications for the same string, an auction will be conducted to determine which applicant is awarded the domain.

To apply under the Global Sunrise Period Trademarks must be registered in any country on or before July 30, 2008.

June 21st - Back Ordering Period Opens

The Back Ordering Period allows anyone to back order the .CO domain they want before the .CO Registry opens to the general public. All matching applications will be resolved at auction.

July 20th – General Availability

General Availability will open to everyone on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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