October 16, 2008; 03:36 AM
(OPENPRESS) October 16, 2008 -- On November 1, the Internet Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will meet in Cairo, Egypt to
discuss the introduction of new top level domain names (gTLD), current
examples in use are .com, .net, and .biz. The proposal calls for the
adoption of new gTLDs to facilitate choice and competition in the
domain name registration services. ICANN’s proposal will include the
introduction of geographic designations, such country or territory
codes (.us and .uk) as well as city names. These new designations would
require supporting documentation for registration.
“ICANN’s goal is to give end-users more choice in their presence on the
Internet and stimulate competition,” said Darin M. Klemchuk. “However,
critics have compared the introduction of new domains with the printing
of money: the value of your current registration is decreased because
of possible brand dilution and public confusion, while the cost of
protecting one’s brand increases.”
ICANN encourages users to avoid registering gTLDs that are confusingly
similar to an already existing gTLD in order to prevent confusion in
the marketplace. The introduction of new gTLDs will increase the open
avenues for registering confusingly similar variations of brand names.
ICANN encourages applicants to adopt curative measures, such as Uniform
Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), to cure such confusion. Additional
preventative measures include the registration of many domain names.
“With the multiplication of top level domain registrations, businesses
will experience difficulty in policing their brands online and will
likely incur substantial costs,” noted Mr. Klemchuk. “This expansion of
domain names will also make phishing schemes more prevalent. All of
this will require businesses to be more vigilant and proactive in
protecting their online brands.”
Darin M. Klemchuk, an intellectual property trial lawyer, focuses his
practice on patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and other
intellectual property litigation and enforcement. In addition, Mr.
Klemchuk has extensive experience representing clients in commercial
and business disputes, particularly software development, trade-secret,
and non-compete disputes. Recently named by D Magazine as one the “Best
Lawyers in Dallas,” for the second year in a row, Mr. Klemchuk also
focuses on intellectual-property licensing and technology agreements
and serves as local counsel for out of state plaintiffs and defendants
involved in patent, trademark, copyright, IP, and commercial litigation
in the state and federal courts in Dallas, Texas.
CKPT offers a broad range of services in addition to intellectual
property including commercial litigation and business litigation as
well as corporate counseling on mergers and acquisitions, private
equity, and securities. Located in Dallas, Texas, CKPT supports a
client base that ranges from individuals and startups to established
companies. Further information on these services is available at
www.ckptlaw.com. For more information on the intellectual property
practice of CKPT, please visit www.ckptip.com.
Source: www.theopenpress.com |
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