WIPO recommends uniform mechanism to regulate domain name registrations
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has recommended the introduction of a uniform intellectual property (IP) protection mechanism designed to further curb unauthorized registration of domain names in all new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs).
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has recommended the introduction of a uniform intellectual property (IP) protection mechanism designed to further curb unauthorized registration of domain names in all new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs).
This came in a report by WIPO’s Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center) on the IP implications of introducing additional generic Top-Level Domains (new gTLDs).
The report, “New Generic Top-Level Domains: Intellectual Property Considerations”, which is available at http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/reports/newgtld-ip, said that such a preventive mechanism would complement the curative relief provided by the existing Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP).
The report is based on WIPO’s experience in the area of IP protection in the domain name system (DNS). “The introduction of a new gTLD presents particular challenges for IP owners seeking to protect their domain names against unauthorized registration by third parties. With the growth of Internet usage and electronic commerce, the strategic importance of domain names as business identifiers has grown significantly,” said Mr. Francis Gurry, WIPO Deputy Director General who oversees the work of the Center.
Mr. Gurry said that registering their entire trademark portfolio may often be the only way for IP owners to protect their identifiers from being “grabbed” by cybersquatters. “If domain names are randomly attributed in newly opened gTLDs, IP owners will be forced to compete with cybersquatters for their own trademarks – unless additional safeguards are introduced,” he added. “Our new report makes practical recommendations for addressing such issues.”
WIPO’s report has been prepared in response to a request made by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the institution that oversees the functioning of the DNS. Following the introduction of seven new gTLDs in 2000 (.aero, .biz, .coop, .info, .museum, .name, .pro), ICANN is developing a comprehensive strategy for further expansion of the DNS. The report provides input into that strategy from an IP and dispute resolution perspective.
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