Tuesday, February 3, 2015

.WINE & .VIN : what is taking so long?

Extract: "Publication of applications for .WINE and .VIN new generic Top-Level Domains were announced mid 2012 and the Independent Review Processes for both applications were initiated in July the 4, 2014 by the European Commission (EU member states). There are a lot more stories to read about these on CircleId and dates can be found here".

Read my article here: http://www.gtld.club/2015/02/the-independent-review-on-wine-vin-new.html.

The Independent Review on .WINE & .VIN new gTLDs

Protection of wine GIs
According to a source, and possibly ICANN, there will (should?) soon be more information on .WINE and .VIN new gTLDs. After more than two years waiting, let's hope 2015 is the year for domain names ending in .WINE, and wine Geographical Indications to have their protection mechanism in the domain name registration process.

The Independent Review Process
Publication of applications for .WINE and .VIN new generic Top-Level Domains were announced mid 2012 and the Independent Review Processes for both applications were initiated in July the 4, 2014 by the European Commission (EU member states). There are a lot more stories to read about these on CircleId and dates can be found here.

Recent emails sent to ICANN on that question:
  1. To Amy Stathos:
    1. Question: ...could you point me to a place on the ICANN website (a link will do) where is clarified the exact role of Hogan & Lovells protecting wine Geographical Indications in .WINE & .VIN ?
    2. Answer: none received.
  2. To new gTLD support:
    1. Question: ...when will ICANN do any update on .WINE and .VIN new gTLDs? If there are any, what are they or where can I read more about the situation?"
    2. Answer: ...On 8 July 2014, the Wine Industry Organization invoked a Cooperative Engagement Process regarding the applications for .WINE and .VIN (https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/cep-irp-pending-22jan15-en.pdf). Future updates regarding this CEP may be viewed at https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/accountability/irp-en. Per ICANN processes, the application status has been changed to “On-Hold” pending the resolution of this ICANN Accountability Mechanism.
  3. To Hogan Lovells:
    1. Question: "Le nom de "Hogan Lovells" a été mentionné, ce jour, aux RINDD de Safebrands dans le cadre de la gestion du litige .WINE / .VIN (protection, des IGs notamment). Cette information est-elle publique, si oui, où?"
      Translation: the name of Hogan Lovells was mentioned during the French RINDD (a French conference about domain names) on the subject of protecting wine Geographical Indications in .WINE & .VIN new gTLDs. Is this information public and if it is, where can I find it?
    2. Answer: none received.
There seems to be some kind of nebula around .WINE and .VIN new gTLDs and actually, very few people will answer questions about these applications.

If the participation of Hogan Lovells in Famous Four Media's project (Famous Four Media was one of 3 applicants for .WINE new gTLDs before Donuts won the auction) is no secret story, I believe one of the reasons must be the money involved in trying to find solutions added to the incapacity of "someone" (applicant or ICANN) to act.

But...what takes so long for ICANN to finally decide? Whatever decision is taken, let's see if they do better than this ;-)

.BRAND new gTLD Reports are updated once a month: CLICK HERE !