".VIN" et ".WINE": EFOW et CNAOC souhaitent soutenir les bonnes candidatures

Lors de la dernière réunion de l'Icann à Durban en juillet, le GAC avait donné un mois au secteur du vin et aux candidats aux ".vin" et ".wine" pour s'entendre. Constatant qu'aucun des 3 candidats n'a accepté de dialoguer de solutions concrètes et que des pressions ont été exercées pour empêcher la recherche d'un accord, le secteur européen du vin demande à l'Icann de donner un délai supplémentaire aux candidats et de ne pas attribuer ces noms de domaine tant qu'un accord n'aura pas été trouvé. Les producteurs de vins appellent l'Icann et le GAC à faire preuve de fermeté et continuent de menacer de mettre en place un boycott et d'engager des poursuites judiciaires.

L'attribution des noms de domaine de premier niveau liés au secteur du vin continue de faire débat. Après avoir exprimé en avril de vives réserves sur l'attribution des noms « .vin » et « .wine », le GAC lors de la réunion de l'Icann à Durban le 18 juillet dernier a donné un mois au secteur du vin et aux 3 sociétés candidates pour s'entendre. Le secteur européen du vin a déployé de nombreux efforts depuis pour engager un dialogue et trouver une solution permettant de protéger les noms des vins d'origine. Un mois s'est écoulé et les producteurs constatent que les seules réponses qui leur sont faites sont des réponses de principe et qu'aucun des candidats n'accepte à ce stade d'aller plus loin. Cette situation est à rapprocher des pressions politiques qui sont exercées pour empêcher la conclusion d'un accord. Les organisations européennes et françaises représentantes les vins d'origine, EFOW et CNAOC, viennent d'adresser ce jour un courrier aux dirigeants de l'Icann. Elles demandent qu'un délai supplémentaire soit donné aux candidats et que l'attribution des noms de domaine ".vin" et ".wine" soit suspendue tant qu'un accord n'aura pas été trouvé entre les parties.

Les organisations rappellent qu'elles sont prêtes à soutenir ces noms de domaine à partir du moment où seront prévues des règles permettant de protéger les noms des vins d'origine. "S'il y a un secteur qui sait ce que sont les avantages de la mondialisation des échanges et du développement d'Internet, c'est le nôtre. Mais cela ne peut pas se faire sans un minimum de règles" déclarent les présidents d'Efow et de la Cnaoc, Riccardo Ricci Curbastro et Bernard Farges. "Nous savons que certains ne partagent pas ce point de vue et œuvrent pour empêcher la définition de règles assurant notamment le respect des droits de la propriété intellectuelle. Le succès de ces noms de domaine repose en très grande partie sur le soutien du secteur. Nous sommes toujours disponibles pour le dialogue. Mais nous sommes aussi prêts si nous ne sommes pas entendus à appeler à un boycott de ces noms de domaine et à engager des procédures judiciaires". Les organisations attendent désormais un signal fort de l'Icann et du GAC.

Rappel du contexte:

L'attribution de noms de domaine de premier niveau ".vin" et ".wine" par l'Icann soulève de vifs débats dans le secteur du vin. Les producteurs de vins d'origine reprochent en effet aux 3 candidats de ne prévoir aucune règle de protection des noms des vins pour la vente de noms de domaine de second niveau (ex "bordeaux.vin"; "rioja.wine"; "chianti.wine" etc). Ils dénoncent les risques que cela ferait peser sur le consommateur (tromperie avec la vente sur des sites comportant des noms d’appellation de vins n'ayant aucun lien avec la région, détournement de notoriété avec utilisation des noms de grands vins, contrefaçon etc) et sur les opérateurs du secteur (racket avec rachat de noms de domaine). Le débat plus large qui est posé est celui du respect de la propriété intellectuelle sur Internet.

Letter sent by Napa Valley Vintners regarding .WINE & .VIN new gTLDs

This letter, from Bruce Cakebread - President of NapaValley Vintners - was just sent to Mr. Crocker:

The Napa Valley Vintners, the non-profit trade association representing nearly 500 Napa Valiey wineries, is concerned with how the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) expansion of generic top level domains may negatively impact our association’s ability to protect the Napa Valley name from fraudulent use.

A prestigious place that has earned a worldwide reputation for producing top quality wines, the Napa Valley wine industry accounts for an annual economic impact on the US economy of more than $50 billion annually and tens of thousands of jobs.

Wine is an agricultural product inextricably tied to its place of origin. The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) aggressively works to ensure labels on bottles of wine are truthful and accurate as to the appellation of origin of that wine. Consumers rely on this information to make informed purchasing decisions. We have had to fight to protect our name from misuse both in the US and around the world from those that would like to trade on our renown with inferior wines that derives from elsewhere.

As lCANN prepares for the largest-ever expansion of the domain name system, the NVV is fearful of the new opportunities provided therein by nefarious actors intending to misappropriate the Napa Valley brand, specifically as it relates to ".wine "and even “.vin.”

It is our understanding that agreements associated with this expansion will prohibit operators of gTLDs from registering country and territory narnes recognized by the UN in front of the extensions “.wine” and “.vin.” Hence, the registration of “US.wine" would be protected, but “Napa.wine” could be registered by any entity for any purpose. Protection is necessary at the secondarv-level since registrars can commercialize the strings therefore allowing individuals or organizations to combine both gTLDs with a second-level domain name to create web addresses like “napa.wine” or “sonoma.wine” or many other combinations from both the US and other prominent wine regions around the world.

If this is allowed to go forward, our 500 winery members and legitimate wine producers worldwide would undoubtedly face cases of cybersquatting; damage to their regional brand; lack of consumer trust and potential overall loss of brand value.

Considering the clear importance that the names “Napa” and “Napa Valley” have for brand, region and industry, and give the lack of legal tools that would allow our organization to protect our names proposed by applicants to the “’.wine” and “.vin" strings, we urge lCANN to take into consideration the advice received from its Governmental Advisory Committee and not proceed with these strings beyond initial evaluation.

As consumers turn more frequently to the internet for information, the NVV believes that adequate safeguards need to be put in place to protect wine growing place names before approving “.wine” and "vin.” if we can have a role in shaping this policy decision, or be otherwise helpful, pilease don’t hesitate its contact me.

En Français: Synthèse d'activités pour le secteur Commercial (ICANN 47 - Durban)

ICANN 47 Synthèse d'activités pour le secteur commercial from ICANN for Business

Decision of .MUSIC Legal Rights Objection (LRO) in favor of Famous Four Media.

dot Music Limited (FFM - Gibraltar) vs DotMusic Limited (Cyprus)

“For all the foregoing reasons, the Panel rejects the Objection.”

Respondent Famous Four Media from Gibraltar favored.

Pursuant to Article 21(g) of the Procedure, the Expert Determination shall be published on the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center’s website.

The WIPO Center will directly contact the prevailing Party, as determined by the Panel, with regard to refund pursuant to Article 14(e) of the Procedure.

Download the decision here.

.Pharmacy Program Analyst (job description)

Function:

Our Association is developing the new .PHARMACY domain name registry, or generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD), to provide a secure and trustworthy online space for legitimate Internet pharmacies and related entities in the interest of protecting global public health. The .PHARMACY gTLD Program Analyst will play a key role in the launch and administration of the .PHARMACY registry operation.

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferred. The ideal candidate will have five or more years of professional experience in Internet technology and business administration, with strong knowledge of the Internet domain name system and related infrastructure. Strong organizational skills and proficiency in Windows Office Suite required. Previous association and project management experience desired. Experience in international health care regulation and fluency in multiple languages a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Association management, its .PHARMACY gTLD advisory committees, and other stakeholders to maintain global standards for the new .PHARMACY registry.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures for the registry operation.
• Maintain ongoing communication with outside venders (e.g., domain name registrar, back-end registry support, gTLD consultant, Internet pharmacy screening service, data escrow service) as necessary to support program operations.
• Maintain registry data.
• Compile periodic summery reports for Association management.
• Monitor program workflow; identify and resolve causes of delays, and prepare proposals to prevent future delays.
• Coordinate with US and international regulatory bodies on behalf of Association to ensure that domain name registrants, as well as the registry itself, are compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
• Keep abreast of relevant ICANN policy issues to support Association’s participation in ICANN subcommittee meetings.
• Interact professionally and cooperatively with Association members, customers, and staff to answer questions about programs and services and forward more serious concerns to the department manager or the appropriate senior staff member.
• Respond to all internal and external customers inquires within 24 to 48 hours.
• Assist the Policy and Communications Project Manager in planning, implementing, and monitoring the budget related to the gTLD program.
• Assist the Policy and Communications Project Manager in special projects as assigned.
• Assist in the preparation of quarterly gTLD program briefings for Executive Committee reports.

To apply, see here.

What does the future of brand marketing look like in a world of 1,000+ new domains?

Chief Envisioning Officer, Microsoft UK to Deliver Keynote Address at London’s Digital Marketing & gTLD Strategy Congress (September 26 - 27, 2013).

If you are an existing or prospective TLD applicant, one of the top of mind questions you likely have is "what does the future of brand marketing look like in a world of 1,000+ new domains?"

To provide you with the insights and ideas you need to ensure your digital strategy is best prepared to capitalize on the changing internet landscape, Momentum's Digital Marketing & gTLD Strategy Congress, taking place September 26-27 in London, will once again assemble a "who's who" of brand, technology and domain experts at the industry's most interactive and highly anticipated digital marketing event.

Providing these insights are such visionaries and industry leaders as:

• Dave Coplin, Chief Envisioning Officer, Microsoft UK, who will be delivering a keynote address on "Looking Forward to the Future of Brand Marketing Post-gTLD".
• Frank T. Schilling, Founder, Managing Director, Uniregistry, Corp. who will be discussing the future of the internet and what it means for brands, investors and industry.

Additionally, by attending, you will learn:

• Connecting the Value of a Great Name: Deconstructing a Successful Go-to-Market TLD Strategy with GoDaddy.
• Digital Marketing Strategies to Best Incorporate and Maximise the Benefit from Your New TLD from KPMG and the Brand Registry Group.
• Marketing Do’s and Don’ts and Best Practices for Brands As You Prepare for Launch from .CO and Afilias.
• How to Best Utilise Your .BRAND to Your Digital Advantage with Google.
• Recommendations for Ensuring Your Brand is Not Compromised as Your New TLD Comes Online with Richemont, LEGO and HSBC.
• Best Practices from Fast -Tracked IDN CC and Geo TLDs with .Berlin and .London.
• Insights into successfully building an online brand with GoDaddy

Finally, you will gain key exclusive insights into the latest TLD developments from Christopher Mondini, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement for North America ICANN and other key industry leaders such as Mark Monitor, Domain Diction, SEDO, Authentic Web, ARI Registry Service, NetNames, the Domain Name Association and many more.

With a room block currently at 75% capacity, this event will sell out so be sure to register for the conference and reserve your hotel room today.

A Registrar getting a head start on New TLDs

TMCH unclear or ICANN web site needs update?

When I worked for Airbus SAS, one word was in every mouth: "P-R-E-C-I-S-I-O-N" (accuracy). I wish it was the same on the ICANN web site.

On the ICANN FAQs, in "What are Trademark Claims and Sunrise Services?", I read: "The Trademark Claims period follows the Sunrise period and runs for at least the first 90 days of an initial operating period of general registration" (http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/trademark-clearinghouse/faqs).

The "at least" really annoys me because it I do not read the same on the official Trademark Clearinghouse web site where I read: "Trademark Claims services will be provided for a 90 day period as of general availability when a TLD launches" (http://trademark-clearinghouse.com/help/faq/how-will-trademark-claims-service-function).

So, is it 90 days maximum or 90 days at least?