Sunrise

A trademark gets first refusal.

When a new extension launches there is a window — usually thirty to sixty days — in which only registered trademark holders may register names matching their mark. That window is sunrise.

What it takes

A registered trademark

Not a company name or a domain you already own. A mark registered with a trademark office.

A Clearinghouse record

The mark has to be lodged with the Trademark Clearinghouse, which verifies it and issues you a file.

That file, at registration

The signed mark data file proves the claim. Without it the registry will not accept a sunrise application.

A separate fee

The Clearinghouse charges for verification, and sunrise registrations usually cost more than general availability.

I have not registered a trademark. Can I still get the name?

Not during sunrise. Wait for general availability, which starts the day sunrise ends, and register it then like anybody else.

What if two trademark holders want the same name?

The registry runs an auction between the valid claims. It is uncommon, and it is decided by the registry rather than by us.

Is sunrise worth the cost?

It is worth it if somebody else registering your brand would cost you more than the fee. For most small businesses, general availability is soon enough.

Not sure whether sunrise applies to you?

Tell us the mark and the extension you want and we will tell you plainly whether it is worth doing.

Ask us