MarkMonitor Announces Top Level Domain Advisory Services

Business Wire, Oct 20, 2008

New Offering Assists Brandholders in Developing the Right Brand Strategy to Meet ICANN's Roll Out of New Global Top Level Domains

SAN FRANCISCO -- MarkMonitor[R], the global leader in enterprise brand protection, today announced a new offering, Top Level Domain Advisory Services, to assist brandholders in developing customized brand strategies in response to the expansion of top level domains (TLDs) by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). MarkMonitor Top Level Domain Advisory Services provide world-class, comprehensive assistance for brandholders throughout the entire ICANN process, whether they plan to acquire and operate a top level domain or proactively defend their brands during the application process and beyond.

The opening-up of new top level domains, including internationalized top level domains, presents both significant business opportunities and risks to brandholders. For some, it presents an opportunity to strengthen and secure their brands online, in essence by owning their own "island" of the Internet. For other brandholders--especially those who own trademarks that are identical or similar to trademarks owned by other entities or that are generic in nature--this ICANN initiative presents a serious risk of losing a "dot brand" if the brandholder does not proactively participate in the ICANN process. In addition, some brandholders may face increased cybersquatting in new top level domains that do not have stringent eligibility requirements.

"ICANN's move to allow new top level domains has the potential to drastically change the Internet as we know it today," said Frederick Felman, chief marketing officer of MarkMonitor. "It is very important for brandholders to create a customized strategy that suits their brands and takes best advantage of this change; whether the strategy involves offensive or defensive actions, or monitoring the top level domain applications during the objection period, it is imperative that businesses devise a plan to navigate this uncharted territory."

The process of acquiring and operating a top level domain is a complex undertaking that should not be considered lightly given the long-term business, operational and financial implications. By leveraging industry experts, brandholders can find needed help in evaluating options and determining the best strategy for their companies. As the world's largest corporate domain registrar with more than half of the Fortune 100 as clients, MarkMonitor has a deep history in establishing and protecting brands online and offers assistance throughout the entire ICANN process. MarkMonitor TLD Advisory Services, the newest offering within the company's Domain Advisory Services suite, include:

* TLD Acquisition & Management Services - MarkMonitor consultants assist throughout the entire top level domain process, from developing a strategy to potentially acquiring, implementing and operating a custom top level domain. These end-to-end services encompass four major phases: Strategy Development, Application Submittal, Implementation & Launch and Ongoing Operations & Compliance Monitoring.

* Brand Protection Strategies - MarkMonitor helps brandholders monitor for and respond to potential threats against their brands before and after new top level domains are delegated. During the application process, MarkMonitor helps identify and object to top level domain applications that may pose a threat. As new top level domains emerge, MarkMonitor provides guidance on defensive domain registration strategies as well as robust technology solutions for detecting and responding to brand infringement.

The MarkMonitor Top Level Domain Advisory Services offering is available immediately for brandholders, with pricing based on the level of engagement. For information on the ICANN top level domain initiative, please visit the MarkMonitor dotBrand Resource Center located at http://www.markmonitor.com/topleveldomains/index.php.> Note to Editors

For more information concerning this service, contact Te Smith at 831-818-1267 / te.smith@markmonitor.com or Jonathan Jordan at 202-370-6187 / jjordan@ar-edelman.com.

About MarkMonitor

MarkMonitor, the global leader in enterprise brand protection, offers comprehensive solutions and services that safeguard brands, reputation and revenue from online risks. With end-to-end solutions that address the growing threats of online fraud, brand abuse and unauthorized channels, MarkMonitor enables a secure Internet for businesses and their customers. The company's exclusive access to data combined with its patented real-time prevention, detection and response capabilities provide wide-ranging protection to the ever-changing online risks faced by brands today. For more information, visit www.markmonitor.com.

Copyright [c] 2008 MarkMonitor, Inc. MarkMonitor[R] is a registered trademark of MarkMonitor, Inc. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.