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Trademark Protection & Anti-Squatting Policy

As a modern registrar operating persistent Top-Level Domains (Namespaces) like .agent and .chatbot on the Handshake network, Headless Domains takes brand protection and anti-squatting seriously.

This document outlines how we protect trademarks compared to the legacy ICANN system.

The Traditional ICANN System: TMCH

In the legacy DNS world (controlled by ICANN), new Namespace operators are required to integrate with the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH). The TMCH is a locked-in, gated database operated by Deloitte and IBM. Brands pay high fees to list their trademarks, and Namespace operators must pay to check registrations against this database to prevent squatting.

Limitations of TMCH for Web3/Agents: 1. It is a closed, paid system. 2. It does not integrate natively with persistent naming systems like Handshake. 3. It creates a high barrier to entry for innovative, community-run Namespaces.

The Headless Domains Alternative Solution

Instead of relying on a locked-in, expensive clearinghouse, Headless Domains uses an Open-Source Data approach pioneered by the Handshake community to protect global brands.

1. The Global "Top 10,000" Blocklist

To prevent squatters from registering famous brand names (e.g., google.agent, stripe.chatbot), we automatically reserve the top global brand names based on the Tranco Top 1 Million list (an open-source equivalent to the Alexa Top 1M).

When a new Namespace is launched on Headless Domains, our system automatically strips the .com from the top 10,000 most trafficked websites in the world and adds them to a reserved_names database.

If an AI agent or human attempts to register amazon.agent, the system will instantly reject it as a "Reserved Name."

2. System & Technical Reservations

To prevent phishing and protect network infrastructure, we also hard-block common technical subdomains across all our Namespaces, including: www, admin, api, support, help, billing, login, auth, mail, ns1, dashboard, secure.

3. The Trademark Claims Process

If a name is reserved (for example, openai.agent), it is not lost persistently. Reserved names can still be claimed by the rightful trademark owner through our trademark claims workflow.

Trademark Claim Process

Who Should Submit A Claim

You should submit a claim if:

  • the Namespace is currently in Sunrise phase
  • the name you want is blocked due to trademark protection
  • you are the legitimate owner or authorized representative of the trademark

How To Submit A Claim

Users can submit a claim directly through the Headless Domains app by providing:

  • the Namespace they want to claim on
  • the desired second-level domain, without the Namespace extension
  • their trademark registration number
  • the relevant jurisdiction, such as USPTO, EUIPO, or UKIPO
  • an optional public proof URL to the trademark record

What Happens After Submission

Trademark claims are reviewed manually by Headless Domains.

During review, we evaluate whether:

  • the applicant appears to control the trademark they are claiming
  • the requested name reasonably matches the mark
  • the requested name does not conflict with existing technical or premium reservations

Submitting a claim does not automatically register the domain.

What Happens If Your Claim Is Approved

If your claim is approved:

  • the requested name is reserved for your Headless Domains account
  • you receive an approval email if email delivery is configured
  • your dashboard will show the approved claim
  • you will see a direct Register Now action in your dashboard

Approval does not automatically assign the domain to you. You must still complete the normal registration purchase flow.

Exclusive Registration Window

Approved trademark claims currently receive a 14-day exclusive registration window.

This means:

  • only the approved claimant can register that exact reserved name during the approval window
  • the claimant must purchase the domain before the deadline shown in their dashboard and approval email
  • if the domain is not registered before the deadline, the exclusive reservation expires

After Approval: How Registration Works

After approval, the claimant registers the domain like a normal Headless Domains customer:

  1. Log in to the approved account
  2. Open the dashboard
  3. Find the approved trademark claim
  4. Click Register Now
  5. Complete the standard purchase flow

Standard pricing still applies unless Headless Domains explicitly offers a separate promotional or contractual exception.

If The Approval Window Expires

If the approved claimant does not register the domain within the 14-day window:

  • the exclusive claim window expires
  • the old approval no longer guarantees exclusive access
  • the name may become available again according to the Namespace's launch phase and reservation rules

Reasons A Claim May Be Rejected Or Not Approved

A claim may be rejected or blocked if:

  • the trademark information is incomplete or unconvincing
  • the requested name conflicts with a technical system reservation
  • the requested name is already protected as a premium or non-trademark reservation
  • the applicant does not appear to control the relevant trademark rights

Important Notes

  • Approval is tied to the approved Headless Domains account
  • Approval does not bypass payment
  • Approval does not last persistently if the user does not register within the exclusive window
  • Sunrise protection exists to reduce squatting and brand abuse, not to create indefinite holds

Summary

By combining open-source traffic data, strict technical reservations, and a manual trademark claims workflow, Headless Domains provides enterprise-grade trademark protection without the overhead of the legacy ICANN TMCH system.