Apparently WIPO is currently about three weeks behind processing challenges, so it's
next to impossible to tell whether you will be challenging an obvious TM violation
or a subsequent legitimate priority challenger. Remember too that if you are challenged
on a name at the 11th hour, you will have to prove that you own the trademark with
appropriate legally certified documentation. If you don't have this, then you can
kiss your $US295 goodbye. Whichever way you look at it, challenging is still a considerable
gamble.
Finally, Afilias may even decide to impose a 'generic name check' for all
successful challengers. I wouldn't be surprised, as I've heard one insider say that
Afilias intentially didn't validate TM information so that they could gain extra
'revenue streams' through comissions with successful challenges and/or more registrants.
Cheers,
Dave