Google drops hints in domain name registry trademark filing

Trademark application includes domain escrow and domain valuation .

Google has filed a trademark application for “Charleston Road Registry”, the name of its subsidiary that is applying for nearly 100 top level domain names.

The filing (pdf) may include subtle clues as to what Google’s plans are for domain names such as .fun, .play, and .shop.

There are six “goods and services” classifications for Charleston Road Registry. Most of them relate to the technical duties of running a domain name registry. Here’s one that stretches into other aspects of domain names:

IC 036. US 100 101 102. G & S: Financial services, namely, providing financial transaction processing services by electronic means via the Internet and other computer networks in the field of electronic fund transfer and payment processing services; brokerage and escrow services relating to the purchase and sale of domain names, web sites and Internet based businesses; financial management services for electronic delivery, processing and transfer of funds, payments, financial transactions and financial information via the Internet and other computer networks; financial analyses, namely, financial valuation of domain names; domain name valuation services

There’s also an entry for providing directory services related to domain names.

I should caution – many trademark applications include a broad set of goods and services, sometimes broader than what the applicant plans to do with the brand. Still, this trademark application gives hints as to what services Google may provide in the domain name market.

The application for “Charleston Road Registry” was filed last week.