- GlobalBlock offers registrars a powerful tool to protect their brand names.
- In addition to blocking domains that resemble brand names, this solution also addresses complex threats such as homoglyphs.
- However, the potential of such automated systems to restrict freedom of expression and the difficulty of balancing brand protection and freedom of expression raise controversy.
Brand protection is becoming increasingly important in the digital world. There is a growing tendency for people to abuse brand reputation and customer trust by using domain names that resemble brand names or are spelling variations. However, a new solution, GlobalBlock, offers registrars a powerful tool to prevent such malicious use.
GlobalBlock has become a solution used by leading registrars. Because it allows businesses to pay a subscription fee to reserve a portion of the domain name to protect their trademarks. In this way, it prevents others from registering domain names that are similar to or violate brands’ brand names. This solution not only protects brand names but also blocks similar domain names with homoglyphs. Homoglyphs are characters that look the same to the naked eye but are actually different due to different character sets and encoding. This prevents threat actors from conducting phishing and fraud operations with domain names with confusingly similar characters. GlobalBlock’s basic and extended plans offer subscribers different options to protect their trademarks. The basic plan allows subscribers to block specific domains that resemble their trademarks, while the extended plan provides more comprehensive protection, blocking more sophisticated threats like homoglyphs.
In addition to GlobalBlock, a priority feature called AutoCatch is also offered. This feature means that as soon as a previously registered domain name, similar to a brand name, expires or otherwise becomes available, GlobalBlock will capture it for its paying customers. However, there are also some concerns brought by a solution such as GlobalBlock. Some feel that such automated systems can curtail free speech by suppressing many more domain names than trademark infringers. It is also argued that blocking a domain containing a brand name could interfere with freedom of expression.
Despite all these controversies, solutions such as GlobalBlock are seen as an important step in protecting brands’ online presence. However, striking the balance and considering both brand protection and freedom of expression remains a significant challenge.
Compiled by: Ayça Ayaz