Registering Domains and Trademarks for Your Fictional Universe (Checklist for Creators)

Protect your fictional universe before you pitch: a practical legal and domain checklist for creators

Pitching a universe, character or franchise to agencies, studios, or platforms is thrilling — and risky. When transmedia shops and talent agencies are actively buying IP (see The Orangery signing with WME in Jan 2026), the first teams to lock down names, domains and trademarks win the conversation. This guide gives you a concrete, step-by-step legal and domain roadmap to protect names, characters and merch-ready brands before you pitch.

Why this matters right now (2026 context)

The entertainment and publishing landscape in late 2025–early 2026 accelerated demand for ready-made IP. Agencies and studios are signing transmedia IP companies, and platforms favor pitch-ready properties with clear ownership, registered marks and tidy digital footprints. At the same time, AI-driven content tools increase risks of name reuse, deepfake merchandising, and rapid brand dilution. That mix makes pre-pitch IP hygiene not optional — it's a competitive advantage.

What this article gives you

• Immediate checklist you can run through in 7–30 days
• Step-by-step domain and DNS setup for a creator portfolio
• Trademark search and filing tactics tailored for fictional universes and characters
• International filing options, enforcement tactics and merch/licensing tips

High-level checklist (do these first)

1. Lock a defensible name — choose names that are distinct and searchable.
2. Quick clearance searches — domain search + trademark database sweep (US, EU, WIPO).
3. Register the primary domain (and key defensive TLDs / social handles).
4. File a trademark application or provisional claim in your primary market.
5. Set up a minimal portfolio site with contracts-ready assets and contact info.
6. Document ownership — creator contracts, contributor agreements, and chain-of-title files.

7–30 day action plan (practical timeline)

Days 0–3: Pick and vet names

• Brainstorm 3–5 name variants for your universe, series title and lead characters.
• Run quick Google and social searches for each variant. Note confusingly similar results.
• Check domain availability (see domain checklist below).

Days 3–7: Do a trademark clearance sweep

Use these free public databases:

• USPTO TESS (United States)
• EUIPO eSearch (European Union)
• WIPO Global Brand Database (international)

Look for exact matches and similar goods/services in the same classes (entertainment, publishing, merch). If you find potential conflicts, document them and consider alternate names.

Days 7–14: Register domains and social handles

1. Register your main domain .com if available. If not, prioritize a brandable .online, .studio, .art or a short country code where you operate.
2. Defensive buys: common misspellings, key gTLDs (.com, .studio, .online, .art, .tv), and market-specific ccTLDs (.uk, .de, .jp).
3. Reserve social media handles on Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Mastodon — even if unused. For help choosing which platform features to prioritize (verification, badges and cashtags), see our platform feature matrix (feature matrix).

Days 14–30: File a trademark application or provisional claim

The moment you have a defensible name and domain, begin the trademark process in your priority market. Filing establishes a public record and strengthens your negotiating position during pitches.

Domain registration: tactical checklist and DNS setup

Domains are the public face of your IP. Register smart, and manage them securely.

What to register

• Primary brand domain (.com preferred)
• Key defensive TLDs (.studio, .art, .online, .tv, .shop)
• Common typos (two-letter transpositions, popular misspellings)
• Country-level domains if you plan localized releases or merch sales
• Alternate names for sub-brands, character names, and flagship products

Registrar selection

• Use an ICANN-accredited registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, Gandi, Porkbun, etc.)
• Check renewal pricing and transfer policies — avoid bait-and-switch low-first-year offers. For vendor and registrar SLAs and transfer issues, have a vendor playbook ready (reconcile SLAs and provider policies).
• Enable WHOIS privacy where sensible, but keep administrative contact info accurate for legal notices.

Essential DNS and security settings

• Auto-renew on and linked to a dedicated payment method.
• Domain lock/transfer lock enabled to prevent hijacking.
• Two-factor authentication for your registrar account.
• Enable DNSSEC if supported by your registrar and DNS host (reduces DNS spoofing risk).
• Set up high-priority DNS records: A/AAAA for hosting, CNAME for CDN, MX/TXT for email, and TXT for domain verification (Google, Meta, Shopify).
• Publish SPF/DKIM/DMARC records before sending outreach emails to avoid deliverability issues.

Trademark strategy for fictional universes

Trademarks protect brand identifiers — titles, logos, character names used as brands, and merch marks. They don't protect story ideas or plots; for that you rely on copyright. But trademarks are the most important tool when you want to license merch, games, or screen rights.

What to trademark

• Series and universe titles (used as brands for entertainment services and publishing)
• Character names that are used on merchandise, games, apps, or as a central brand element
• Logos and stylized titles (design marks)
• Taglines used to market the universe

Choosing trademark classes

Pick classes that match your commercialization plans. Common choices for creators:

• Class 9 — digital media, downloadable apps, games
• Class 16 — printed matter like graphic novels and comics
• Class 25 — clothing and wearable merch
• Class 35 — merchandising and retail services
• Class 41 — entertainment services, rights to produce shows or live performances

Filing tactics (practical, not legal advice)

• File in your primary market first (e.g., USPTO for the U.S.).
• If you need international coverage, use the Madrid Protocol or file regionally (EUIPO for Europe) depending on budget.
• Consider an intent-to-use (ITU) filing in the U.S. if you haven't commercialized yet — you can later submit a Statement of Use.
• Document first use dates, marketing launches, and sales to support trademark claims.
• Keep evidence: dated website screenshots, social posts, invoices and merchandising prototypes.

Note: This article is educational, not legal advice. Consult an IP attorney for filings and disputes.

International protection and cost-efficient alternatives

Budget matters. Here are practical options:

• Madrid Protocol — file a single international application (more cost-effective if you need many countries).
• Regional filings (EUIPO) — preferred if your business is EU-centric.
• Targeted national filings — pick 3–5 priority markets by where you expect sales, streaming deals or licensing.
• Use provisional protection and public launch records to establish priority while you raise funds for full filings. For creators seeking small pre-launch funding or monitoring platform signals, see playbooks on monetization and platform signals (microgrants & platform signals).

Protecting character rights and contributor ownership

Fictional universes often involve multiple contributors. Clear ownership avoids later disputes that can derail deals.

• Work-for-hire agreements — if you hire artists, writers or coders, have clear agreements assigning IP to your entity.
• Contributor/creator splits — document royalty splits, credits and licensing rights in writing.
• Option and licensing agreements — if you grant exclusive negotiation rights to an agency or producer, get well-scoped, time-limited options with reversion clauses.

Merch, licensing and pre-pitch materials

When preparing to pitch, present a tidy package that shows you control the rights and can monetize them.

• Have a one-page IP summary: domains owned, trademarks filed (with application numbers), key registered logos, and social handles.
• Include a simple style guide with logo usage, color palette, and character thumbnails.
• Show sample merch mockups (t-shirts, enamel pins, posters) and a proposed licensing model — boutiques and small shops increasingly use live-commerce and API-enabled ordering for merch (boutique live-commerce strategies).
• List contributors and documentation proving chain-of-title.

Enforcement: what to do if someone uses your name or domain

Fast, measured responses protect value without escalating cost.

• Document the infringement (screenshots, timestamps).
• Send a friendly cease-and-desist or request for domain transfer via registrar — often enough to resolve typosquatters.
• For domain disputes, use UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) for clear bad-faith registrations.
• Use platform takedown tools (DMCA for copyrighted assets, brand complaint forms for trademarks).
• Consider a trademark watch service to monitor new filings and registrations similar to your marks.

“When agencies and studios can see clean IP — domains, filings and ownership documents — deals move faster and with fewer legal contingencies.”

DNS and deliverability: pitch outreach practicalities

Don’t let poor DNS configuration sabotage your pitch emails or verification steps on streaming and social platforms.

• Configure SPF/DKIM/DMARC for any sending domains used in pitches or press outreach.
• Add verification TXT records required by platforms (YouTube verification, Shopify, Meta Business).
• Use a simple portfolio or landing page (one-page site) explaining who owns the IP and how to contact you — if you need help building a fast creator site, see our WordPress portfolio playbook (showcase AI-aided WordPress projects).

Monitoring and long-term maintenance

IP protection is ongoing. Use automation and budget planning.

• Set calendar reminders for trademark renewals and domain expirations (years 5–10 planning is common) — and budget accordingly.
• Budget for periodic international filings as you expand into new markets.
• Subscribe to a trademark watch and domain monitoring service to catch copycats early.

Sample pre-pitch checklist (printable)

1. Decide on final universe/series name and 2 backup names
2. Search USPTO/EUIPO/WIPO for similar marks
3. Register primary domain (.com) + 3 defensives
4. Reserve social handles (Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)
5. Prepare a minimal portfolio site: synopsis, key art, contact
6. File trademark application or ITU/provisional claim
7. Collect contributor agreements and chain-of-title docs
8. Create a one-sheet listing IP assets and filing numbers
9. Set DNS, SPF/DKIM/DMARC, verification TXT for platforms
10. Plan trademark/renewal budget and monitoring services

Advanced strategies and 2026-forward predictions

Here are longer-term moves that lead creators are using in 2026 to maximize value and defensibility.

• Pre-registered transmedia packages: creators bundle domain portfolios, registered marks and merchandising-ready mockups to sell or license to agencies. The Orangery–WME deals in early 2026 highlight how agencies favor packaged IP.
• AI provenance and training opt-outs: add explicit license language and metadata on your website asserting that your character art and text are not licensed for AI training without consent. Platforms are increasingly honoring provenance tags and policy requests as of 2025–2026 — see the evolution of critical practice and ethics tools (critical practice tools & ethics).
• Modular licensing terms: offer tiered licenses (non-exclusive merch, exclusive screen options) to accelerate revenue while retaining core rights.
• Use of new gTLDs strategically: .studio, .art and .shop domains can signal professional readiness to buyers while the .com remains primary for discoverability.

When to call an attorney (and what to ask)

Consult an IP attorney when:

• You find a potential conflicting trademark in your target market.
• You're preparing a licensing or option agreement with a third party.
• Someone files against your mark or a domain dispute escalates.

Useful questions to bring to an IP attorney:

• Which trademark classes should I file in today for anticipated merch/streaming deals?
• What's the cost/benefit of a Madrid filing vs. individual national filings?
• How do I structure contributor agreements to avoid split-ownership pitfalls?
• What steps should I take right now to prepare for a pitch to agencies in 30–90 days?

Final takeaways — protect value before you pitch

In 2026, buyers and platforms want IP that’s pitch-ready: a clear owner, registered domains, trademark filings and documented chain-of-title. A small upfront investment in domains, trademark clearance and simple agreements dramatically increases negotiating leverage and speeds deals. Missing these steps risks losing control of names, delays in monetization and higher legal costs later.

Quick action plan: pick your name, secure your domain, run a trademark check, file an application in your primary market, and prepare a one-sheet showing those facts before you send your first pitch.

Resources & links

• USPTO TESS — for U.S. trademark searches
• EUIPO eSearch — for EU marks
• WIPO Global Brand Database — for international searches
• ICANN-accredited registrar lists

Call to action

Ready to lock in your fictional universe? Download the printable pre-pitch checklist, or schedule a 30-minute IP prep call with an experienced entertainment IP attorney. Protecting names, domains and characters now can be the difference between a fast deal and a legal quagmire down the line.

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