WIPO Internet Domain Name Process

Francis GurryLegal Counsel

WIPO

Process Stages

June 1998(September 1998)

USG White Paper(WIPO Member State Approval)

July & August 1998 RFC-1 on Terms andProcedures

September to December1998

RFC-2 on Issues

December 23, 1998 Interim Report(http://wipo2.wipo.int)

January to March 1999 RFC-3 on Interim Report

End March 1999 Final Report to ICANN

Procedures and Mechanics

• Internet-based Consultations– open participation

• Regional Consultations

– 17 meetings in 14 countries

• Panel of Experts

– 15 members from 12 countries

Terms of Reference

• Dispute Prevention (Registration Practices)

• Uniform Dispute Resolution

• Famous Marks

• Effects on Intellectual Property of Adding new gTLDs

Principal RecommendationsBest Practices

• Contact Details

• Take-down Procedure

• Commercial and Non-commercial Domains

Uniform Dispute-Resolution Procedures

• Optional Arbitration

– exclusion of courts

– finality

– confidentiality

• Administrative Procedure

– mandatory or optional

– scope

Famous Marks

• Exclusions– some perceived difficulties

• Presumption

• Tort

IP and New gTLDs

• IP one of multiple perspectives

• No undue damage to intellectual property interests if

– improved registration practices

– efficient dispute-resolution mechanism

– controlled introduction

• New gTLDs may even advance IP interests