October 31, 2007, ICANN's policy advisory body (the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Council) vote on Motion 2

["Spataro, Giovanna" <giovanna.spataro@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Sirs:

On October 31, 2007, ICANN will be voting on motions which may lead to 
elimination of free public access to Whois databases. It would be a great 
disservice to companies and consumers alike to eliminate such free public 
access as Whois is essential in fighting Internet fraud and piracy.  As a 
trade-mark attorney, Whois allows me to verify the existence of prior rights 
when conducting trade-mark searches.  These databases also allow me to take 
action in the case of violations of my  clients' trade-mark rights, as it 
allows me to identify the Internet violaters.  Whois is important for consumers 
and business - and to help businesses protect their consumers online - and that 
the GNSO Council should adopt Motion 2 and reject Motions 1 and 3.


Giovanna Spataro
Attorney/Trade-mark agent
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
1, Place Ville-Marie
37th Floor
Montreal, Quebec H3B 3P4
Telephone: (514) 392-9565
Telecopier: (514) 878-1450




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