In a stunning rebuke of ICANN’s assertion that it had achieved sufficient accountability and professional stature to justify termination of its unique relationship with the U.S. government, the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as the Chairman of its Internet Subcommittee, along with eight other Committee members, dispatched a joint letter on August 4th to …
The Importance of Law Enforcement Taking Domain Thefts Seriously
The ICA was quoted this week on the importance of law enforcement taking domain thefts seriously. In a situation unfortunately unique for the forward thinking shown by state police, the New Jersey State Police have pursued their case against Daniel Goncalves, 25, of Union, New Jersey for hacking into an online account belonging to one of the owners of the …
ICANN Road Show Opens on Broadway to Mixed Reviews
On Monday, July 13th, ICANN opened its global consultation summer road show on Broadway in the ornate Hudson Theatre in the Millennium Hotel. The show was very low in entertainment value and, while the orchestra seating was fairly well filled, the balconies sat empty. It closed after a single run and is now on its way for a July 15th …
ICA Tells ICANN That The URS Is The Wrong POLICY For the DNS
Yesterday the ICA filed its comment letter with ICANN regarding the final Report of the Implementation Recommendation Team (IRT). While reciting the constructive role that ICA has played on the new gTLD process since its inception, the letter takes aim and blasts away at the proposed Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) system as stripping registrants of due process rights, providing inadequate …
Celebrate Freedom and Preserve Independence – Domainers Are Strongly Urged to Comment on the IRT Report
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” – Thomas Jefferson As U.S. Citizens prepare to mark the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, those in the global domain industry might well consider giving effect to Jefferson’s words, and acting to preserve their own freedom and independence, by taking the time to submit comments …
Computerworld Article Makes Clear That Trademark Interests Mean To Impose URS on .Com ASAP
An article just published in Computeworld, “Domain-name wars: Rise of the cybersquatters” confirms ICA predictions that if brand owners are able to implement their unbalanced Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) policy for new gTLDs they will quickly move to use the same illicit, backdoor process to have it imposed on incumbent gTLDs — including .com. Referring to the package of proposals …
Report from the Sydney ICANN Meeting – IRT Report and Geo Name Issues Rise to the Fore
ICANN’s Sydney, Australia meeting kicked off to an official start on Monday, June 22. However, smaller pre-meeting sessions of its Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) policy-making body, as well as other parts of the multifaceted organization, began early on Saturday — and ICA was in place then and speaking out on behalf of its members. The trademark protection “solutions” fashioned …
Ten Reasons to Attend the ICA Auction
Do you have any plans for this Tuesday evening, June 16th? If you are the savvy domain investor that we think you are, then you’ll be taking part in the ICA Auction running from 4p.m. – 7p.m. EDT. This auction will occur during the Aftermarket.com auction at Domain Roundtable in Washington, D.C. The conference attendees can walk away with Castaway.com, …
ICA Tells ICANN Ombudsman Office Its IRT Report is “Tardy, Nonresponsive and Non-Persuasive”
On April 21, 2009 the ICA filed a formal request with the ICANN Ombudsman requesting an investigation of our allegations that the Implementation Recommendation Team (IRT) established by ICANN to propose “solutions” for trademark owners at new gTLDs was a “constituent body” acting in violation of relevant ICANN Bylaws requiring the maximum feasible amount of transparency and fair procedures (click …
ICA Urges Commerce Department to Extend and Revise Joint Project Agreement with ICANN
On June 8, 2009 the ICA filed extensive comments with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) urging that the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the U.S. government and ICANN not be allowed to expire on September 30th. The letter expresses ICA’s continued support for the four principles underlying ICANN’s creation as well as for its eventual full transition to an …