Blockchain-Based Domains and Trademark Rights: Implications for Brands, Protecting IP, Enforcement Strategies

This CLE course will guide IP counsel on blockchain-based names and domains. The panel will examine the opportunities and challenges they present for brand owners. The panel will discuss how blockchain-based names and domain names are being used. The panel will also discuss the enforcement difficulties facing brand owners and offer alternative enforcement strategies to protect IP in the blockchain domain space.

Brand owners have new opportunities and face new challenges with blockchain-based name services and domain names. Unlike DNS domains, crypto domains do not have centralized governance. ICANN governs DNS domains and has in place procedures to resolve domain name disputes. The blockchain community is generally unregulated and, consequently, makes it very difficult to police for infringement of trademark rights.

There are few remedies to prevent third parties from owning and using blockchain domain names that reflect another brand's trademarks. Without many options to force the owners of the infringing blockchain domain names, brand owners should consider alternatives to protect their IP and maintain the value of their IP by reducing the value of the infringing blockchain domain name.

Listen as our authoritative panel of IP attorneys examines blockchain-based names and domains and the opportunities and challenges they present for brand owners. The panel will discuss how blockchain-based names and domain names are being used. The panel will also discuss the enforcement difficulties facing brand owners and offer alternative enforcement strategies to protect IP in the blockchain domain space.