Recently compiled data from analytics site ntldstats.com has revealed that a staggering 53.4% of all domain registrations in new gTLD strings have their origin in China. The registration numbers are likely to come as an expected, and unwelcome, development for trademark counsel, who could be bracing themselves for a spike in cybersquatting. There is likely more to the picture, however.
Read MoreRenewal levels will be worth watching but, for now, Chinese demand for new gTLDs will be viewed as a positive by both ICANN (as all demand serves as an endorsement of the online programme) and registries. For trademark counsel, there could be a further rise in nefarious domains to tackle in the future. This could lead to further pressures on budgets but counsel have proven adept at rising to such challenges in the past...