AdultBlock & AdultBlock+

AdultBlock - Frequent Questions & Answers

• What Top-Level Domains (TLDs) does the AdultBlock service cover?

  The service covers all of ICM Registry TLDs - dotXXX, dotSEX, dotADULT and dotPORN.

• Will more TLDs be included in the service?

  No, AdultBlock has been designed to block registrations across the ICM Registry adult-themed TLDs.

• Who is eligible to purchase AdultBlock?

  Trademark holders with a valid Signed Mark Data (SMD) file issued by the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) and dotXXX Sunrise B participants are eligible. Registered Trademark, Unregistered Trademark, Company Name or Celebrity Name are also able to purchase an AdultBlock product.

• What is the Trademark Clearinghouse?

  The Trademark Clearinghouse is a database of validated and registered trademarks established by ICANN to prevent infringing behaviour in the domain name system.

• Does my Registered Trademark need to be in the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH)?

  Applicants do not need to have their trademark in the TMCH, but it can be. The third-party verification agent assesses the application based on the historical or expanded rules now available.

• What type of Registered Trademark can I use?

  A nationally or regionally registered trademark that is in force at the date the application is submitted.

• What are nationally or regionally registered trademarks?

  Examples of national and regional intellectual property registration offices:

  • United States Patent and Trademark Office
  • UK Intellectual Property Office
  • European Union Intellectual Property Office
  • Office for Intellectual Property

• What types of evidence do I need to provide?

  The applicant must be the holder of the name or an appointed representative. The following may be provided with the application:

  • Certified Copy of trademark registration
  • Screenshot of online record of Intellectual Property body database
  • Documentary evidence confirming (e.g., certificate of authorisation) that the applicant is an authorised representative of the registered owner of the trademark

• What is an Unregistered Trademark?

  An unregistered trademark is a mark created by a business or individual to signify or distinguish a product or service. An unregistered trademark utilises graphics, images, words or symbols, or a combination of such, to signify the distinctiveness or source of a product or service. In some jurisdictions/countries, unregistered trademarks are also referred to as common law trademarks and are things such as business names, celebrity names, etc.

• What are acceptable proofs of use for an Unregistered Trademark?

  Applicants may use any of the following:

  • Dated advertising and marketing materials (e.g., brochures, pamphlets, catalogues, product manuals, displays or signage, press releases, social media marketing materials etc.);
  • Links to websites, screenshots from websites;
  • Headed and dated stationery, receipts, invoices;
  • Dated photographs or scans of product labels, storefronts, billboards;
  • Articles of Incorporation / Articles of Association.

  Please note that the above are examples, and at all times, it is in the Registry’s sole discretion whether or not complete and satisfactory evidence has been met.

• What types of Company Names can I use?

  Registered Companies as well as “Trading As” or “Doing Business As” names are eligible for the AdultBlock service.

• What are acceptable proofs of use for Company Names?

  Applicants may use any of the following:

  • Invoices
  • Bills
  • Articles of Incorporation / Articles of Association
  • Screenshots of website - URL and business name must be visible
  • Company letterhead, promotional items, invoices from and too company
  • Ownership details
  • Copy of registration documentation for registered companies (or a company registration number).

• What are Celebrity Names?

  Famous persons, sports stars and personalities, political figures, actors, social media celebrities and public figures.

• What are acceptable proofs of use for Celebrity Names?

  The following may be provided:

  • Links to websites, social media or screenshots from websites or social media relating to sale or advertisement
  • Registered trademark number if one exists
  • Proof of status e.g.: IMDB, poster of movie or TV show, leaflets showing their name associated with a show, team roster, advert with their name on it, actors registration number (US and Europe)
  • Political party lists
  • Pamphlets
  • Listing on a government page (provide link to page)
  • Other forms of proof that justify application

• What are dotXXX Sunrise B blocks?

  A service offered to trademark and service mark owners to block their marks from being registered when dotXXX was being launched in 2011.

• Where can I view the labels covered by the service?

  Just get in contact with us at brandprotection@easyspace.com and we can let you know.

• Does the service include premium domains?

  AdultBlock will block all corresponding available domains irrespective of the price point and automatically block any additional dropped names while the block service is in place.

• Will domains already registered be blocked?

  No, domains that are currently registered cannot be blocked until the name is deleted or expires.

• What happens when a domain becomes available?

  Once the redemption period has ended and the domain name becomes available, the domain name will be added to the block for the remainder of the service period.

• I am the owner of a registered domain name that I want to block, what can I do?

  Once you purchase an AdultBlock then any domain currently registered will remain active until you either delete it or decide not to renew. Once the domain is deleted, it will automatically be included in your AdultBlock service.

• Can someone else block my trademark or rights?

  Only holders of a matching trademark with a valid SMD file issued by the TMCH or an original Sunrise B dotXXX can apply for the AdultBlock service.

• Can I unblock a domain for use?

  The AdultBlock service does not allow the domain name to be unblocked.

• What IDN characters are part of the AdultBlock+ service?

  The variant generation software is based on Unicode Consortium standards. This means that the service blocks characters available today along with any future language character sets that become available in the ICM Registry TLDs.

• Does the service block any other confusingly similar characters?

  Yes, the service will block other confusingly similar characters, such as replacing an ‘L’ with a ‘1’ and an ‘E’ with a ‘3’.

• Where can I get a list of all the variants generated by a trademark?

  The number of variants can sometimes run into the thousands and for this reason, ICM Registry only provides a sample of the variants for reference. Acquire a sample along with the number of variants, just send an email to brandprotection@easyspace.com.

• What is the policy for Sunrise B blocks renewing in 2021?

  Sunrise Bs expire in December 2021. Registrars will work with their Sunrise B customers to decide whether they want to convert the name to a standard AdultBlock registration. To provide additional time after the expiration date, the name will go through something equivalent to an auto-renew grace period where registrars can delete any Sunrise B name that their customer does not want converted to a standard AdultBlock registration.

• What happens if I delete my Sunrise B registration?

  If the Sunrise B registration is deleted, the domain will become available on a first-come, first-served basis upon the completion of the grace period beginning December 2021.

• What happens if I do nothing?

  We will contact you to ascertain whether you want to convert your Sunrise B to an AdultBlock; if you do not want to convert to an AdultBlock, we will delete the name and the name may become available for registration by third parties.

• Why does ICM Registry need to re-validate my rights in 2021?

  The Sunrise B product was based on rights validated in 2011. Leading up to the expiration of Sunrise B registrations, rights will be grandfathered into the AdultBlock product. Once expired, Sunrise B registrants will need to re-validate their marks.

• How will the re-validation process work?

  A Validation Agent will review the rights used in the 2011 Sunrise B submission to ensure they satisfy the current AdultBlock requirements, which are based on the existing TMCH rules. If the rights are valid, the conversion to AdultBlock will be completed. If the rights are no longer valid, the Validation Agent will work with the accredited agent to meet the requirements. The domain will be available during this process if it is not completed before the end of the grace period. The re-validation fee is non-refundable.

• How do I avoid the re-verification of my rights and the costs associated?

  Just drop us an email, brandprotection@easyspace.com, and ask us to convert your Sunrise B registration to the AdultBlock service today.

• How do I convert my Sunrise B registration to a standard domain registration?

  For policy reasons, a conversion is not possible. Registrants will need to either convert to an AdultBlock or attempt to register the domain when it becomes available on a first-come, first-served basis in December 2021.

• How many years can I register AdultBlock for?

  The product is available in 1, 3, 5 and 10 year registration periods.

• How many years can I renew the AdultBlock service for?

  AdultBlock renewals mirror registration periods with 1, 3, 5 and 10 year options.

• Can I transfer my AdultBlock to you?

  Yes, registrants may transfer the AdultBlock service between registrars. The transfer request will add one additional year to the life of the service. Just drop us an email; brandprotection@easyspace.com.

• Do I need to renew my TMCH SMD file?

  ICM Registry will check the validity of the SMD file from time to time during the AdultBlock service. Registrants are responsible for ensuring the SMD file remains valid.

• Is there a limit on the protection of variants in the SMD file?

  No, the AdultBlock+ product will block all variants in the SMD file.

• What information will I see in the WHOIS for blocked domains?

  All blocked domains will include the following message in the WHOIS database, “This name subscribes to the AdultBlock+ product; therefore, this name is not available for registration”.

• The proof of use I want to use with my application is not listed, how can I check if my application will be successful?

  AdultBlock accredited providers will be able to check if an application is likely to be successful based on the evidence provided, please contact your provider for more details.

• Is there a cost for verifying my application and evidence?

  There are no additional costs to applicant when using the verification service. The registry however reserves the right, on a cost recovery basis, to charge for failed applications. Your AdultBlock accredited provider will work with you to ensure all the information provided is correct at the time of application, however if your application fails, the registry reserves the right to charge you or your provider for the verification attempt charges.

• How long does it take to verify my information?

  Applications with complete and accurate information usually take 3-5 business days to be verified.