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[FYI] IAC COMMENDS WIPO FOR WORK IN AREA OF DOMAIN NAMES



http://www.wipo.int/eng/main.htm

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          Press Release PR/99/182

          Geneva, September 13, 1999


IAC COMMENDS WIPO FOR WORK IN AREA OF DOMAIN NAMES

The Industry Advisory Commission (IAC), composed of senior
representatives of industry, praised the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) on Monday for the work it has been doing to curb the
abuse of trademarks on the Internet and advised the

Organization to continue its "global leadership" role in this area. The
IAC urged the Organization to continue to highlight the respect of the
rights and obligations of domain name holders.

In a statement (attached) issued at the end of a one-day meeting, the
IAC commended WIPO for its "proactive contribution to the ICANN
process to date." The IAC also advised WIPO "to continue its global
leadership with the member States in ongoing communications,
awareness and building of global awareness of the benefits of a balanced
approach to the recognition and respect of the rights and
obligations of domain name holders and intellectual property owners and
users."

The IAC was referring to a series of recommendations presented for
consideration by the Interim Board of the Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the non-profit international
corporation formed to oversee a select number of the Internet's core
technical management functions. The WIPO report was the culmination of a
process initiated by WIPO in July 1998 and addresses questions
relating to domain names, intellectual property and related
dispute-resolution issues. For the first time ever, the report set out a
definition for
the abusive use of trademarks on the Internet.

With the explosive growth of the Internet and the increasing use of
domain names as business identifiers, these issues have sparked great
interest and worldwide debate. Among the problems identified in WIPO's
report, and directly addressed by its recommendations, were bad
faith, abusive registrations of domain names, also known as
"cybersquatting," as well as the countervailing practice, referred to by
domain
name holders as "reverse domain name hijacking." The WIPO Report
addressed four key areas: dispute prevention, a uniform system of
dispute resolution, the protection of famous and well-known marks in
generic top level domains (gTLDs), and the impact on intellectual
property of adding new gTLDs. WIPO made a number of recommendations
aimed at meeting the concerns of the rapidly expanding
Internet-user community, and at giving recognition to the diverse
social, commercial and communication purposes for which the Internet is
used.

The IAC recognized the importance of the Internet as "a critical
communication and information access infrastructure of global importance
to
individuals, commercial and non-commercial stakeholders and entities,
and for government at all levels." The IAC also thanked WIPO and the
member States "for the valuable contribution of WIPO" through the
Internet domain names processs, including the development of dispute
settlement procedures and advised the Organization to continue, as a
matter of urgent priority "to develop solutions on the outstanding
issues for adoption by ICANN and other appropriate bodies."

In addition, the IAC held talks on a broad range of issues relating to
electronic commerce as well as to efforts by WIPO to promote public
awareness and understanding of intellectual property and its
contribution to economic and social development. The IAC agreed to meet
again
next spring to continue discussions on a large range of current items,
including biotechnology and the impact of the global economy on the
intellectual property system.

This was the second meeting of the IAC, which was established as part of
the efforts by the Director General of WIPO, Dr. Idris, to take into
consideration the broadest range of opinions in the context of the
Organization's policy-making and program planning. The views from
industry are important to WIPO bearing in mind that the private sector
benefits directly from the organization's services. The Commission
identifies and reviews issues that may need to be dealt by WIPO from the
specific perspective of industry and market sector. The IAC, whose
members sit in their personal capacities, has a purely advisory role to
the Director General.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations & Public
Affairs Section, at WIPO:

     Tel: (+41 22) 338 8161 or 338 95 47 
     Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10 
     E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int 

                       Advice on Role of WIPO in Domain Names

The Industry Advisory Commission

     Recognizes the importance of the Internet as a critical
communication and information access infrastructure of global importance
to
     individuals, commercial and non-commercial stakeholders and
entities, and for government at all levels. 
     Acknowledges the present and evolving challenges created by a
global, high speed Internet. 
     Commends and thanks WIPO and the member States for the valuable
contribution of WIPO through the undertaking of the
     International process (WIPO process) on certain questions relating
to the interface between Internet Domain Names and Intellectual
     Property, including the development of dispute resolution
procedures. 

Further

     Commends WIPO for its proactive contribution to the ICANN process
to date, and 
     Advises WIPO to continue its global leadership with the member
States in ongoing communications, awareness, and building of
     global awareness of the benefits of a balanced approach to the
recognition and respect of the rights and obligations of domain name
     holders and intellectual property owners and users. 

And

     Advises WIPO to continue, as an urgent priority, to develop
solutions on the outstanding issues for adoption by ICANN and other
     appropriate bodies. 

This page last modified Tue Sep 14 16:19:35 1999

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