The deadline is fast approaching for third parties to object to any of the nearly 2,000 new generic top-level domains currently under review by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for potential launch later this year. Trademark owners and other interested organizations have until March 13, 2013 to participate in ICANN’s formal objection process.

In 2012, ICANN officially began the process of expanding the internet domain space to include over one thousand new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). By the time the applications period closed in May 2012, ICANN had received over 1,900 applications for new gTLDs. Applied-for strings include brand-based domains, such as .abc, .marriott, and .xerox; concept- and industry-themed domains, such as .insurance, .health, .tech, .wine, and .green; and city and community domains, such as .nyc and .paris. Although ICANN’s review process is well underway, trademark owners and others who might wish to object to any of the applied-for domains still have the opportunity to use ICANN’s formal objection process to protect their rights and weigh in on which gTLDs will be approved for launch. The deadline for filing objections is March 13, 2013.

Please see full alert below for more information.