First spam from a ".vin"

Website points then to a ".fr" website.

The weekly French new gTLD report by Nameshield

This week, the Nameshield report adds to its list of TLDs with a French meaning new interesting domain name extensions, focus on:

1. .VIN : the domain name extensions enters the listing and we will keep an eye on that one;
2. We added the .KRED new gTLD since it is a domain name extension dedicated to a new kind of social network.
3. .CORSICA enters the listing too with more than 100 domain name registered.

Read the complete report by Nameshield

The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

The French new gTLD info of the day (Wednesday)

L'extension Internet ".SFR"
L'extension Internet .SFR vient d'être "déléguée". Alors que SFR a été racheté par Numéricable, il semble qu'il y aura des noms de domaine ".sfr" et non ".numéricable".
http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/delegated-strings

Extensions ".vin" et ".wine"

Après trois années de négociation et une mobilisation forte des professionnels (avec à leur tête en France, la CNAOC), des élus et des gouvernements, un accord privé et confidentiel a été conclu entre la société américaine Donuts et la communauté mondiale du vin. Cet accord permettra de lutter contre le cybersquatting et la contrefaçon.
http://syndicat-cotesdeprovence.com/ouverture-des-nouvelles-extensions-566-page.html

Enregistrez vos noms de domaine .VIN

La LandRush du .CORSICA

Les noms de domaine en ".corsica" sont ouverts à l'enregistrement selon des conditions tarifaires spécifiques, ce qui permet aux demandeurs d'augmenter leur chance d'obtenir un nom désiré. Enregistrez votre .CORSICA.
https://www.nameshield.net/

The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Bernard Farges à l'Attention de Axelle Lemaire, sur le dossier ".vin"

Le 27 janvier prochain se déroule l’ouverture générale des extensions « .vin » et « .wine ».

Pendant plus de trois années, la CNAOC, la communauté mondiale du vin et les pouvoirs publics français et européens se sont mobilisés pour protéger les Indications Géographiques dans le cadre de ces nouvelles extensions. En 2015, un accord commercial privé a été signé entre le secteur du vin et Donuts, l’entreprise américaine en charge de la gestion de ces nouvelles extensions. Il permet de lutter contre le cybersquatting et la contrefaçon et permet d’éviter la confusion des noms. Cet accord est confidentiel.

Ce mardi 24 Novembre, Axelle Lemaire, Secrétaire d’Etat au numérique en première ligne sur ce dossier aux cotés des vignerons est intervenue lors de l’Assemblée Générale de la CNAOC à Paris.

Le discours ci-dessous de Bernard Farges, Président de la CNAOC, revient sur les dossiers « .vin » et « .wine » et évoque également les suites concernant la protection de certains noms sur internet et l’avenir de la gouvernance mondiale de l’internet.

Discours Bernard FARGES:

• Madame la Ministre,
• Mesdames et Messieurs les Députés et Sénateurs,
• Madame la Directrice Générale,
• Mesdames et Messieurs les Présidents,
• Mesdames et Messieurs les Directeurs,
• Mesdames, Messieurs, Chers Collègues, Chers Amis,

Madame la Ministre, un an s’est écoulé depuis votre venue devant cette même assemblée et beaucoup de choses se sont passées sur les dossiers .vin et .wine.

Ces deux nouvelles extensions ont fait l’objet d’une délégation par l’ICANN à la société américaine Donuts durant l’été 2015 et sont actuellement en période de lancement. C’est le 27 janvier 2016 qu’aura lieu l’ouverture générale, tout le monde pourra dès lors réserver un nom de domaine se terminant par .vin et .wine.

Heureusement et comme nous l’avions souhaité, des règles spécifiques ont été prévues pour une liste de noms. Je ne détaillerai pas ces règles parce que l’accord que nous avons signé avec Donuts est privé et confidentiel.

Ce que nous pouvons cependant dire, c’est que nous sommes globalement satisfaits des règles qui devraient s’appliquer pour cette liste de noms. L’accord devrait permettre en effet de lutter contre le cybersquatting, la contrefaçon et éviter la confusion. Mais nous tenons à répéter que cet accord ne porte que sur une liste de noms. Tous les autres noms obéiront aux règles générales prévues par l’ICANN, c’est-à-dire la règle du 1er arrivé, 1er servi. Soyons donc prudents lorsque nous communiquons sur ce sujet.

Achetez votre nom de domaine ".vin"

Cet accord a été obtenu dans la douleur après 3 années d’intenses discussions. C’est clairement une première victoire pour la communauté mondiale du vin qui a réussi à faire entendre ses préoccupations au sein de l’ICANN. Merci à nos amis vignerons américains et européens de s’être joints à ce combat légitime.

Cette victoire n’aurait cependant pas été possible sans une forte mobilisation à nos côtés des gouvernements et en particulier du gouvernement français et de notre Secrétaire d’Etat Axelle LEMAIRE. Nous savons à quel point vous avez été courageuse en vous déplaçant à Londres en juin 2014 pour exprimer avec beaucoup de détermination, courage et pugnacité votre opposition à une délégation sans condition des .vin et .wine face à une assemblée hostile et très éloignée dans sa culture de la protection de la propriété intellectuelle. Vous avez été d’autant plus courageuse que vous saviez que le point de vue des gouvernements n’est pris en compte que si le conseil d’administration de l’ICANN le veut bien et s’il y a consensus entre les gouvernements.

Nous tenions donc à vous remercier pour le rôle essentiel que vous avez joué avec les autres Etats membres de l’Union Européenne, la Commission et les Parlements européen et français. Je ne veux pas oublier dans mes remerciements les ministres de l’Agriculture, des Affaires étrangères et de l’Economie qui nous ont soutenus. Merci aussi aux parlementaires et aux élus du Vin de s’être mobilisés.

Pour autant Madame la Ministre, ce dossier et plus largement celui des noms de domaine et de la régulation de l’Internet posent encore beaucoup de question.

L’accord que nous avons signé est un accord commercial. Il est le fruit d’un compromis. Nous veillerons à ce qu’il soit respecté dans sa lettre mais aussi dans son esprit. Nous n’hésiterons pas à prendre encore à témoin si nécessaire l’opinion publique et les gouvernements si nous constatons des dérives.

Plusieurs grandes questions restent posées pour nous:
Tout d’abord celles de la protection d’un certain nombre de noms. Cette protection ne doit pas seulement s’appliquer pour une extension ou 2 comme .vin et .wine mais pour toutes les extensions.

Ensuite les noms qui sont réservés visent uniquement notre secteur. D’autres noms méritent la même protection. Nos amis du secteur des fromages commencent à comprendre que la protection des noms est aussi un enjeu pour eux. Aujourd’hui avec une extension comme .food qui ne prévoit aucune règle de protection en dehors des marques et qui pourrait donc autoriser la vente d’un nom de domaine comme www.comte.food à n’importe qui pour vendre n’importe quoi. Et demain avec une extension comme .cheeese ?

Notre 3ème question est en lien avec le prochain cycle d’ouverture qui serait prévu vers 2018, 2019. Nous pensons qu’il est prématuré de procéder à un nouveau cycle d’ouverture. Ce sont déjà plus de 1 000 nouveaux noms de domaine qui vont voir le jour sur Internet. Que pourrons-nous faire ? Nous protéger en négociant autant d’accord privé qu’il y a de nouveaux noms de domaine ? Impossible. Réserver et donc payer une quantité infinie de noms de domaine pour empêcher le cybersquatting et ou une mauvaise utilisation de nos noms ? Impossible. Créer de nouvelles extensions pour définir nos propres règles ? Cela n’empêchera pas les gens malhonnêtes d’utiliser abusivement nos noms sur les autres noms de domaine et nous serons donc toujours contraints de payer beaucoup pour nous protéger un peu.

Enfin la question du statut de l’ICANN. Le gouvernement américain a décidé de reporter la réforme qui doit donner une plus grande indépendance à l’ICANN. Nous avons constaté en 3 ans le mélange des genres et la proximité entre l’ICANN et l’industrie des noms de domaine. Nous avons aussi constaté que les intérêts de l’industrie prévalaient souvent sur ceux des citoyens. Ce n’est pas normal. Nous demandons nous aussi une réforme de l’ICANN qui lui donne plus d’indépendance, qui l’oblige à plus de transparence et de responsabilité.

Encore merci Madame la Ministre. Mais vous l’aurez compris, nous avons encore besoin de vous.

Domain names ending in ".wine" are here

Domain names related to Wine
(Two languages covered)
The Trademark Clearinghouse opened three sunrise periods yesterday:

• the .WINE new gTLD; 
• the .VIN new gTLD; 
• and the .REIT new gTLD which has nothing to do with wine but which stands for "Real Estate Investment Trust". 

Interested in learning more about the story (and history) of wine new domain names? Dated events are listed on Dotvinum.org

.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 ;-)

New .VIN domain names: what about accents?

What exactly is that "reserved list of names" Fadi Chehadé refers to in his letter dated October the 22nd? If we already have an idea, we wonder if they considered protecting more than just "accents". The name of Hogan Lovells was mentionned in the last Safebrands "RINDD" and their input on this question is welcome if they are the company to be working on that list.

What about accents?
One could think that English website owners would register their domain name ending in .WINE and those in French in .VIN. In a world where things would be black or white I would agree, but we live in a world where everything is grey so potential Registrants will probably register their domain name in the two extensions.

We use accents in French and for this reason, you won't see a French bottle of wine sold in an English speaking country where accents would be taken away from the sticker, in particular when the name of a wine Geographical Indication adds to promoting the Trademark on the bottle.

If accents are a strong added value when it comes to selling wine, we believe - for sure - that combination of signs including accents are part of that list of reserved names. An example for "Béarn": will the "Bearn" (with no accent) Geographical Indication be protected as well as "Béarn" with an accent? If bearn.wine and bearn.vin are reserved, what about béarn.wine and béarn.vin?
In this case, that is two names reserved in two fifferent extensions.

Spaces do not exist in domain names...
The same case figure applies to Geographical Indications using multiple keywords. What about protecting "Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet" and "Banyuls grand cru"? You noticed that hyphens and spaces were added to the problem and if "Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet.wine" is offered to be reserved in the .Wine  and .Vin extensions, what about:

1. BienvenuesBâtard-Montrachet.wine;
2. BienvenuesBâtardMontrachet.wine;
3. BienvenuesBatardMontrachet.wine;
4. Bienvenues-BâtardMontrachet.wine;
5. BienvenuesBatard-Montrachet.wine;
6. ...

This is a long list, even longer if spaces between letters need to be replaced by "something". Is the "hyphen" to replace spaces? In this case a GI such as "Banyuls grand cru" should require to reserve:

1. Banyulsgrandcru.wine;
2. Banyuls-grandcru.wine;
3. Banyulsgrand-cru.wine;
4. Banyuls-grand-cru.wine;
5. The same name in the .VIN Top-Level Domain.

For this last example, this means reserving eight names for two extensions: eight domain names for one single wine Geographical Indication...

What about plurals?
One Wine Geographical Indication wouldn't want to see reserved all of these combinations and take the risk to have someone register a "BienvenueBâtard-Montrachet.wine", getting rid of the "s" in "Bienvenues") or adding one to a "Banyulsgrandcrus.wine" when it does not take any.

If these examples look like paranoia...they remain real ones: plural is a factor to consider in the protection of Wine Geographical Indications and if it wasn't, why then champagnes.fr (with an "s") is redirected to champagne.fr (with no "s")?

What about a GI using accents, spaces, hyphens and an apostrophy in the same name?
I will let readers play with the "Chambertin-Clos de Bèze", "Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire" and "Duché d’Uzès" examples.

:-)

The Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH)
The TMCH could be an alternative to these coming problems. For any Brand interested in .WINE and .VIN Sunrise Periods, I would suggest to register: "abused labels in which the trademark is simply included could be submitted to the Clearinghouse as long as they meet all the eligibility requirements".

Is everyone satisfied?
The more domains will be reserved, the more it will probably cost to use them since they will require to be "unlocked" (taken out of the reserved list of names to be registered). If we agree that protection has a cost, it is possible that I am wrong and that such mechanism to register these domain names is a smooth and cheap process.
In this case I believe both parties are satisfied: wine Geographical Indications are protected from bad behaviors and .WINE and .VIN Registries have an existing list of domain name already promoted with potential buyers coming.

But...where is that list?

Everyone can participate in ICANN decisions ? Come on...

I participated in the French RINDD today in Paris: RINDD stands for "Rencontres Internationales des Noms de Domaine". The translation would be "The International Domain Name Conference". This event is organized once a year by SafeBrands, an International French Registrar. Many participants were there: the ICANN, Law Firms, Donuts, other new gTLD applicants, back-end Registries and many experts of all kinds...

Round Tables and debates

There were round tables on several subjects and it was particularly appreciated to hear Donuts, applicant for hundreds of new gTLDs, to answer questions in French, and sometimes, direct ones. I was kind enough not to ask publicly how much they paid for the .WINE new gTLD.

If I am always interested in hearing participants like Mathieu Weill and listen to his figures about the new gTLD market, the potential of new gTLDs, his open questions on the possible success and failures of new gTLD initiatives, new business models...there is one subject which really pisses me off, it is when I hear someone say that "everybody can participate in ICANN decisions". 

"Everybody can participate in ICANN decisions"

I have the chance to belong to one of the ICANN group named the NCUC, which has a "real voting power in ICANN’s policy making and Board selection, the NCUC develops and supports positions that favor noncommercial communication and activity on the Internet". NCUC stands for "Noncommercial Users Constituency": a group anyone can join to represent ... non-commercial end users (the only "real" end users to me).

I joined that group because I believed it could block things like Plural and Singular domain name extensions to coexist. I admit I failed in participating enough to block this from happening: domain names ending in .hotel and .hotels (with an "s") will always be confusing for end users.

No: you can't participate in ICANN decisions

...but you can try...

A good example to give is this letter sent by the ICANN CEO to French Ministry Axelle Lemaire regarding protecting wine Geographical Indications and which says: "The parties involved are now working on devising a mechanism which would offer protections to a reserved list of names, which would be contractually protected through ICANN’s registry agreement".

Come on...you're not going to talk about Project dotVinum again?

We tried to "participate" in ICANN decisions in April 2013 the 3rd, providing solutions to protect wine Geographical Indications. We wrote to ICANN, who published our letter, and its subject was "Hints and Solution for the Protection of Wine Geographical Indications in the ICANN New gTLD Program". Guess what we offered as a solution in this letter: we offered to protect lists of names...

So what?

Not only ICANN never answered us, which probably shows that we are not as honorable as Axelle Lemaire, but we are pretty much surprised that it is our solution that the ICANN CEO now uses as one to unlock the situation for both .WINE and .VIN new gTLDs.

It is a pity that so many years were wasted and that ICANN never called us: Project dotVinum for wine Registries was launched in 2011, introduced to the French Ministère de l'Agriculture and a few of other wine institutions.

We also find funny that the Law Firm in charge of "finding solutions" has come to that conclusion and we are happy to have "shown the way".

So, can you participate in ICANN decisions? Check by yourself. Note that we are not naive neither...we know how it works...and on .WINE, it works behind the scene: end users are not welcome to play.

More coming on ethic? ;-)

New .WINE and .VIN are now Political Tools

The more I follow the .WINE & .VIN opera, the more I start to believe that the idea is either to kill both new gTLD applications to free space in Round 2 of the ICANN new gTLD program or make this subject a political tool “only” to increase Europe’s presence in ICANN decisions.

Flying high above the sky

If there still is a wish from the European Commission to help .WINE and .VIN to become the strongest identity European wines could ever have on Internet, I would like to understand why the situation is still blocked:

1. There is a list of protected domains the ICANN CEO is trying to offer for protection: I have few doubts this one won’t go through;
2. There is a protection mechanism that the EU is trying to have set-up but which seems to be part of the reason why the situation is blocked. The strange thing about this new measure is that there is one existing already and it is called the Trademark Clearinghouse: if a wine Geographical Indication is registered into this database AND the corresponding domain name(s) registered, then there is no lack of protection;
3. …the recent communication from Philippe Armand Martin, at the French Assemblée Nationale, says one thing: the fact that a possible decision relies on the next European Council dated November the 27th 2014 is a clear proof that the French Government understands nothing (or very few) about new gTLD procedures (and by the way, .COFFEE new gTLD was launched already). If the idea is to block .WINE and .VIN because, we – European (French ?) – “missed the train”, then I would suggest to consider: not building a new root but a complete new Internet Governed and by us with European rules, because thinking this council will change anything is a mistake. It is like thinking the WTO can affect this situation. This ever lasting situation shows again how inefficient and slow, we, European, can be. In his speech, I particularly like Jean-Louis Roumegas’s offer “to open a global discussion on this issue”.
   As it is built, the ICANN new gTLD program offers no solution but to slow down the process. What the ICANN is doing participating in slowing down this process is already against its own rules: according to my understanding of the ICANN new gTLD applicant Guidebook (also called the “AGB”), this problem should have been solved a long time ago.

Whatever decision is taken in November the 27th, the ICANN Board does not have to approve it just to please European Member States and a few American Organizations who think wine GIs and/or their equivalent should be protected.

Someone will cry

There is still zero reason why both applications should not proceed: my understanding of the the ICANN CEO’s personal contribution to this issue is that ICANN will then have to face the reaction of both parties if it approves .WINE & .VIN or not. In both cases, someone will cry so who should that be: Donuts for investing so much time and money to find out that ICANN changes the rules again for the benefit of the European Commission (EC), or the European Commission for wasting so much time in trying to protect wine GIs and finding out in the end that very few was changed?

So what really is the problem then?

The real actual problem is that ICANN needs to find a solution to demonstrate that its methodology to apply for a domain name extension is finalized and can face a situation such as the .WINE one; AND it needs to please the party which thinks that it is being fooled. If I could almost agree that the methodology is finalized, I believe there is no solution to please the EC with its requests.

Note that it would help quite a lot if it was clear about what the EC wants and as for now, the negotiation between parties involved has not been made public.

What happens next

.WINE and .VIN are a GO “as they are

If the ICANN Board says OK to .WINE and .VIN, no matter what the European Commission thinks, then the ICANN confirms its position as an American organization who does not really care about the rest of the world, no matter what Axelle Lemaire thinks.

.WINE and .VIN are no GO

ICANN confirms that its methodology to apply for a new gTLD has a breach and I believe it then should have to answer Donuts on the reason why it blocked the company from succeeding after following the ICANN new gTLD applicant guidebook procedure.

A deadline please?

If no one, even ICANN, can give a dead line, the next step comes after the 27th and it is quite possible that the ICANN Board, sole entity to be able to say “yes” or “no”, says: “let’s give parties involved a little more time to find a solution. I personally hope this is not the answer but according to me, the ICANN wants to please the European Commission and avoid…a lawsuit.

My fear here is that the “no dead line situation” has been accepted by all parties and it looks like it is easier for ICANN to remain this way instead of taking the risk to act. Unfortunately and according the the AGB, there can’t be a Round 2 if this situation is not solved so let’s expect something to happen…someday.

Qu'il est bon ce .VIN californien

Les extensions du Vin seront Californiennes

Les nouvelles extensions Internet apparaissent peu à peu sur Internet et de nombreux nouveaux sites Web voient le jour. Terminé les noms de domaine qui se terminent en .COM, c’est à présent au tour des .BERLIN, des .CLUB et des .INTERNATIONAL de se faire un nom.

Pourtant, si ces noms tardent à se faire connaître, il existe deux nouvelles extensions, en instance de validation, dont on parle beaucoup. Il s’agit des deux candidatures déposées à l’ICANN - l’organisme de gouvernance des noms de domaine - pour le vin: des noms de domaine qui se termineront en .VIN et en .WINE. Le site Web de Nicolas changera probablement, nous l’espérons, pour un .VIN.

Lire cet article sur le Journal Du Net.