Registration of new gTLD through ICANN and potential risks for European agro-industry

[Vito Galluzzi <galluzzi@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Sirs,

since we have learned about the proceedings initiated by ICANN - Internet 
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers - for the registration of new 
generic top-level web domains (gTLDs), we wish to communicate our position on 
the matter.
For those who don't know us, please note that ISIT - Istituto Salumi Italiani 
Tutelati - is the Italian association that incorporates 15 groups of producers 
which represent 20 Italian meat based PDO (Protected Designations of Origin) 
and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication).
We agree with the concern, already expressed by other institutions and 
associations (such as EFOW, Federalimentare, FederDoc and AICIG), about the 
potential risks for the European agro-industry, and particularly for PDO and 
PGI products.
Reserving exclusive rights to private companies on certain generic terms, in 
absence of an adequate regulation, could result in an improper use of that 
terms, contrary to the rules of European geographical indications.
Moreover, there is a clear problem of private trademarks protection, since a 
term could be registered by a company that is not the right holder.
So we hope that ICANN would take into account the aforementioned concerns and 
do their best to protect the European agro-industry system, with particular 
reference to the Geographical Indications (PDO and PGI products) and the 
interests of the numerous companies involved.
Thank you very much for the given attention.
Yours sincerely
_______________________________________________
Vito Galluzzi
ISIT - Istituto Salumi Italiani Tutelati
Milanofiori - strada 4 palazzo Q8 - 20089 Rozzano (MI) - Italy
tel +39 02.8925901 - fax +39 02.57510607