Definition

The TMCH (trademark clearinghouse) is the centralised trademark database set up by ICANN to protect rights holders when new gTLDs launch.

What it does

Recording a trademark in the TMCH unlocks two key rights:

• Sunrise period: priority registration of the matching domain before public opening on each new gTLD
• Trademark Claims: for 90 days after public opening, anyone trying to register a domain identical to your trademark gets a warning, and you are notified if the registration goes through

Conditions

• Trademark registered with a national or regional office (INPI, EUIPO, USPTO, etc.)
• Term of 1, 3 or 5 years, renewable
• Indicative cost: USD 150 per trademark per year
• Proof of use validation required

TMCH is a key defensive tool to mitigate cybersquatting across hundreds of new extensions.