BrandShelter

06/19/2026

⏳ The ICANN application window for new gTLDs closes on August 12.

For global brands, a .brand domain is more than a web address - it's a strategic digital asset that strengthens trust, security, and customer experience.

Organizations with a DotBrand can:
✅ Create a verified digital ecosystem
✅ Strengthen customer trust and combat phishing
✅ Gain greater control over their online presence
✅ Differentiate themselves from competitors

If you're evaluating whether a .brand domain is right for your organization, our recent webinar covers everything you need to know about the upcoming application round and the opportunities it presents.

Watch the webinar replay here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wgXFT0

The new gTLD application window is now officially open until August...

06/18/2026

With the US Open underway this week, it got us thinking about risk management.

In golf, success rarely comes from one perfect shot.

It comes from preparation, course management, spotting hazards early, and making smart decisions before small mistakes become costly ones.

The same principle applies to brand protection.

Most brands don't suffer significant damage because of a single phishing site or fraudulent domain. The real impact happens when threats go undetected for too long.

Just like golf:
🏌️ You don't wait until the final hole to adjust your strategy.
🌐 You don't wait until customers are affected to start monitoring your brand.

Every week, we help organizations tackle:
• Fraudulent domains
• Phishing campaigns
• Fake eCommerce stores
• Social media impersonation
• Counterfeit activity

The brands that respond fastest are rarely the ones reacting better. They're the ones identifying threats earlier. Because when it comes to protecting your brand online, prevention is often the best scorecard.

We’re curious: If you're seeing an increase in online impersonation, phishing, or domain abuse, which channels are creating the biggest challenges for your organization right now?

And if a threat does make it onto the course, having a fast and effective response matters just as much.

Learn more about BrandShelter's takedown services here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wg5Zg0

Rapid website, DMCA and domain takedown services for impersonation, infringement and fraud. Executed globally by experts and initiated within 24 hours.

06/10/2026

Not all websites online are legitimate - and for brands, that can quickly become a serious problem.

From impersonation sites to trademark infringement and malicious domains, harmful websites can damage trust, confuse customers, and impact revenue.

So what can you actually do when you find one?

There are several routes available- from formal takedown requests to legal escalation - but the right approach depends on the type of abuse and where the site is hosted or registered.

We’ve outlined the key options and processes here:
https://www.brandshelter.com/blog/how-to-get-a-website-taken-down/

If you’re dealing with a harmful or infringing website, our team can help you assess the situation and take the right action - get in touch with us here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0w35M50

Protect your brand from fake domains and cyber threats. Our expert domain takedown services remove infringing websites quickly and globally.

06/05/2026

How prepared is your organization for AI-powered impersonation?

As generative AI becomes more accessible, creating convincing fake websites, phishing emails, and brand impersonations is becoming faster, cheaper, and easier.

The result? More threats, launched at greater scale.

This was a key theme in Tray's recent keynote at the Brand Protection Congress in London and is explored further in his latest article.

Read it here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vYsBY0

Explore how AI is industrializing brand abuse - and what brands can do to protect their digital presence.

06/03/2026

How long do brands have to apply for their own DotBrand, and what happens next?

In our recent webinar, we discussed the timeline and important upcoming dates in the current ICANN new gTLD application round.

Organizations now have 10 weeks left to prepare their application and develop a strategy for how a .brand can support security, trust, customer experience, and digital transformation.

For brands considering a .brand domain, understanding the timeline is critical. While August 12th may seem a long way off, successful applications require planning and stakeholder engagement well in advance.

Watch this short clip below where Aysegul Tekce from ICANN breaks down the key upcoming milestones.

If you missed our webinar or would like to find out more about next steps, you can watch the full recording here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vSTfP0

05/29/2026

Last month, our brand director Tray Bullock delivered a keynote at the Brand Protection Congress in London on a topic that's rapidly reshaping the digital risk landscape: the industrialization of brand abuse through AI.

As AI tools become more accessible, bad actors can create convincing phishing campaigns, impersonation scams, fake websites, and other forms of brand abuse at unprecedented scale and speed.

In this latest blog article, Tray expands on the key themes from the keynote, exploring how AI is transforming brand abuse, what this means for brand owners, and the steps organizations can take to protect their digital presence.

Read the full article here:
https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vLvv90

Explore how AI is industrializing brand abuse - and what brands can do to protect their digital presence.

05/22/2026

What do you do when your perfect domain is already taken?

It’s one of the most common (and frustrating) moments in building a brand online - you’ve nailed the name… and the domain is already registered.

But that doesn’t mean your options are gone.

In our latest blog post, we break down exactly how to approach it - from negotiating with current owners to using capable domain brokers in bringing home your name.

💡 The key takeaway:
Just because a domain is taken doesn’t mean it’s out of reach.

If you’re building or rebranding a business, this is a must-read before you settle for a compromise.

Read the full guide here:
https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vzqgx0

Found your ideal domain is already registered? Here’s how to acquire a taken domain, when a broker makes sense, and what can go wrong.

05/20/2026

The new gTLD application window is now officially open - marking a rare opportunity for organizations to apply for their own DotBrand for the first time in over a decade.

To help organizations better understand what comes next, we recently hosted a webinar in partnership with ICANN, covering:

* The DotBrand application and evaluation process
* Key timelines and milestones
* What organizations should be focusing on now

Featuring insights from Aysegul Tekce (ICANN) and Frédéric Guillemaut (BrandShelter), the session explores how organizations can approach the opportunity with clarity and confidence.

If you missed the live webinar, you can now watch the full recording here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vvjYV0

The new gTLD application window is now officially open until August 12, 2026 - giving organizations a rare opportunity to apply for their own DotBrand for th...

05/12/2026

Only 2 days to go until our webinar!

Since the new gTLD application window officially opened, we’ve seen growing interest from organizations exploring what a DotBrand could mean for their digital strategy, brand protection, and long-term online presence.

But with the window closing on August 12, many brands are now facing the same challenge: understanding not just how to apply - but what happens after submission, how the evaluation process works, and how much preparation is really needed.

That’s exactly what we’ll be covering in our upcoming webinar in partnership with ICANN, featuring our guest speaker Aysegul Tekce alongside BrandShelter's Frédéric Guillemaut.

We’ll discuss:
✅ What applicants should be doing now
✅ Key stages in the evaluation process
✅ Why waiting too long can create unnecessary risk

If your organization is considering a DotBrand - or has already applied - this session will provide valuable guidance on what comes next.

If you’re unable to attend live, make sure to still register - all registrants will receive access to the webinar recording afterward.

📅 Thursday, May 14, 10am - 11am ET, 4pm - 5pm CEST
🔗 Register here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0vcRCy0

05/08/2026

We were proud to attend INTA in London this week - one of the world’s largest and most influential gatherings for brand and IP professionals.

Hosted in London, this year’s event brought together over 10,000 professionals, with a packed agenda of 50+ sessions, workshops, and keynotes exploring the future of intellectual property.

Across the week, several key themes stood out to our team:

💡 AI and IP - from AI-generated content to its impact on enforcement, litigation, and advertising
💡 Brand protection in a digital-first world - tackling evolving threats across domains, content, and online channels
💡 The business of intangible assets - with growing focus on brand value, IP finance, and strategic portfolio management
💡 Global policy and cross-border collaboration - reflecting the increasingly complex, international nature of IP

Beyond the sessions, the real value came from the connections - exchanging perspectives with brand owners, legal experts, and partners navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape.

A big thank you to the event organizers and everyone we met - we’re excited to continue the conversations. If you’d like to explore your brand's online protection needs further, you can book time directly with Toby here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0v7CNl0 or reach out via our contact page: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0v7C-k0

See you next time!