The ICA is an International Member of ICANN’s Business Constituency. We recently learned that, on February 19, the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), ICANN’s policymaking body, approved a motion (below) to establish a new Working Group on Registration Abuse Policies (WGRAP). The ICA has elected to become a member of this Working Group. As professional registrants, domain name investors and …
ICA Reports on the February 6th ICANN Policy Forum Held in Washington, D.C.
On Friday, February 6, 2009 an all-day ICANN Policy Forum was held at the headquarters of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an imposing 1920s Indiana limestone structure located directly across Lafayette Park from the White House. The event reflects the growing Washington interest in the workings of ICANN as the September 2009 termination date of the current JPA approaches, as …
New York Eager to Follow in Kentucky’s Footsteps
While the Kentucky Supreme Court takes its time to consider overturning last month’s decision of the state appeals court rejecting Governor Steve Beshear’s attempt to seize 141 domain names on the grounds that they were “gambling devices”, the state of New York wasted no time introducing legislation to avoid any similar disputes over the interpretation of their state’s anti-gambling measures. …
House Judiciary Committee Plans ICANN Oversight
On January 27, 2009 the House Committee on the Judiciary adopted a wide-ranging plan for oversight to be conducted by it during the new, 111th Congress. As described below, they plan to delve into ICANN matters at the full Committee level, chaired by Representative John Conyers (D-MI). The Committee’s inquiry will be based upon its jurisdiction over intellectual property and …
ICA Dissents on BC Position Regarding New gTLDs
The ICA is an international member of ICANN’s Business Constituency. On January 26, 2009 the BC adopted a position regarding ICANN’s draft application guidelines for new gTLDs by a vote of 46-8, with 11 abstentions; overall, 30 members of the BC, representing 63% of its total membership, voted on this matter. The ICA cast a No vote on the BC …
WIPO Decision to Strip Owner of RAI.MOBI Causes Concern for Domain Owners
The Complainant, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana S.p.A. of Italy, filed a complaint with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in connection with the domain rai.mobi. The Complainant alleged that in registering the domain rai.mobi the Respondent, Netwizzy Company S.L of Spain, infringed on the Complainant’s trademarks which incorporate the letters “RAI” to which the Complainant is widely recognized. The Complainant stated …
Congressional Internet Caucus Event Focuses on ICANN’s Future
On Wednesday, January 13, 2009 the Advisory Committee to the Congressional Internet Caucus held its annual “State of the Net Conference”. This event, attended by hundreds, brings together members of Congress and their staff, regulatory agency personnel, lawyers and lobbyists, public interest groups and think tanks, and others interested in technology policy – and often serves as a jumping off …
Kentucky Domain Seizure Overturned by Kentucky Court of Appeals
The Kentucky Governor’s office wasted little time Wednesday, appealing Tuesday’s decision by the Court of Appeals that domain names are not gambling devices under the meaning of the state law cited as the justification for the state’s seizure of 141 domain names. By overturning the decision of the lower court, the Court of Appeals rejected the Governor’s attempts to extend …
Internet Commerce Association – 2008 Annual Report
As the year comes to a close I’m happy to announce the release of the Internet Commerce Association’s 2008 Annual Report. The ICA has been very active in the last year and this 11-page PDF report highlights the growth of our membership since our founding two years ago and provides a summary of ICA activities and outreach over the past …
ICA Amicus Brief Accepted by Court in CFIT Case
It has been a long wait, but the court hearing the suit brought by CFIT against VeriSign accepted ICA’s amicus brief. Bret Faucet, representing CFIT in this case, thanked ICA for its contribution to the case. CFIT is trying to try to get the court to reverse the decision by ICANN to award the .com contract to VeriSign without any …