Blocking

What are Blocking products?

Blocking products are defensive mechanisms provided by registries or third-party providers that allow brand owners to prevent the registration of specific domain names containing their trademarks or brand names. These products essentially act as barriers, blocking others from registering domain names that could potentially infringe upon or misuse the brand’s intellectual property.

Operated primarily at the top-level domain (TLD) level, blocking products allow brand owners to prevent registrations of their trademarks across multiple domains within a specific TLD or even across a portfolio of TLDs. The blocked domain registrations are usually at the second-level domain, meaning they prevent the registration of domain names containing the brand name itself.

By utilizing blocking products, brand owners can proactively safeguard their trademarks from cybersquatters, unauthorized use, phishing attempts, and other forms of online abuse.

Exclusive Access with your SMD file

Access to the most popular blocking products often requires the provision of a valid Signed Mark Data (SMD) file, an authentication key, exclusively provided by the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH). This crucial process verifies your trademark information, ensuring that brand owners can effectively secure their trademarks with these protective measures.

Which Blocking products require an SMD file?

Below is a list of blocking products accessible for purchase through the provision of an SMD file:

• GlobalBlock
• AdultBlock
• AdultBlock+
• DPML
• NameBlock
• ShortBlock
• …

How it works?

• Ensure that you have a valid trademark certificate and register your trademark in the Trademark Clearinghouse.
• Obtain a verified trademark record along with a valid Proof of Use (including a sample and a signed declaration).
• Download your SMD file, which will be available within a maximum of one hour.
• Utilize your SMD file to acquire GlobalBlock, AdultBlock, AdultBlock+, DPML, NameBlock, and ShortBlock.