ICANN has published the final version of its rights protection mechanism requirements which will be part of all registry agreements for the new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Each registry operator must comply with these requirements, which include practical details of implementing sunrise services and claims service processes using the Trademark Clearinghouse. They set out, for example, details of the relevant time periods and the eligibility requirements for registering a domain name during the sunrise period. This follows ICANN's publication of the new registry agreement in July 2013 (see Legal update, ICANN publishes new Registry Agreement and starts contracting process for new gTLDs). For more information about the new gTLDS, see Article, Generic Top-level Domain (gTLD) Expansion, and for the Trademark Clearinghouse, see Legal update, ICANN publishes Uniform Rapid Suspension System Procedure and Rules.

Source: ICANN announcement, 30 September 2013.