FW: Comments on DAG 4

["Speed, Clare" <Clare.Speed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Sirs

> We have serious concerns that proposed TM protections remain weak and 
> ineffective. 
> 
> We feel that the current proposal for a Trademark Clearinghouse is that it is 
> not a rights protection mechanism - now little more than a database.
> 
> Specific issues
> Clearing-house:
> 1.  Clarify terminology > "> substantive review > "> or > "> substantive 
> examination> ">  to > "> examination on absolute grounds.> ">   This should 
> address the problem of applicants for Gtlds basing applications/objections on 
> the basis of TM registrations for purely descriptive words, obtained in 
> countries which conduct no examination on absolute grounds.
> 
> 2.    Standardise the requirement for registries for claims and sunrise so 
> that they are the same.  The Trademark Claims and Sunrise services - in their 
> present form do nothing to reduce the number of domains being registered in 
> bad faith.  In order to be effective, the services should be mandatory both 
> pre-launch and post-launch.
> 
> 3.    Widen the definition of "identical match" to encompass "obvious 
> misspellings" eg Yahooo, Koddak.  In practice, most cases of TM infringement 
> relate to misspellings, rather than pure identical matches (a review of the 
> decided UDRP cases supports this claim).  Without this, the effect of 
> Clearing-house as a rights protection mechanism is weakened so as to be 
> virtually non-existent.
> 
> URS:
> 4.    Review the URS proposal in DAG4 > ->  with all the alterations, it has 
> been eroded from being an immediate and helpful take-down service for the 
> most blatant infringements to a weaker version of the UDRP (cheaper but no 
> speedier and weak means of redress ie no means of transferring the domain to 
> the complainant).
> 
> PDDRP:
> 5.    Clarify what is meant by requirement for the Registry operator to have 
> engaged in > "> affirmative conduct> ">  > ->  if the threshold is too high, 
> then risk is that the usefulness of the PDDRP as a rights protection 
> mechanism is in doubt.
> 
> In our view, the overarching TM issues have not been resolved.  It would not 
> be a backwards step to re-form the IRT - it is certainly the case that 
> changes are needed and the IRT (a body with legal knowledge and practical TM 
> law experience) is well-placed to advise in this area.
> 
> 
> Clare Speed
> Trade Mark Attorney
> D +44 (0)1753 446744  M+44 (0)7967 575784 
> 
> Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, 103-105 Bath Road 
> Slough, Berkshire SL1 3UH, United Kingdom 
> T +44 (0) 1753 217800 F +44 (0) 1753 217899 
> www.rb.com
> 
> 

 
 
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