To: process.mail@wipo.int
From: "Government of Canada"
Subject: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUBMISSION FOR THE SECOND WIPO INTERNET DOMAIN NAME PROCESS
Date: July 5, 2001
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUBMISSION FOR THE SECOND WIPO INTERNET DOMAIN NAME PROCESS
Canada would like to thank the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for its thorough research in preparing the comprehensive Interim Report of the Second WIPO Internet Domain Name Process (Second Process) and is pleased to make a submission in response to the request for comments.
The issues raised in the Second Process are complex. Canada believes in the importance of an efficient and inexpensive system for granting domain names that facilitates both growth of the Internet and broader participation. Similarly, Canada supports policies which serve to reduce and resolve conflicts between domain name and other right holders in an expeditious and affordable manner. Canada favours a consensus-based approach in moving forward on these issues because of their newness and dynamism, and the difficulty in determining the consequences of expanding the scope of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), independent of principles embodied in national laws, and international treaties and agreements.
The further evolution of the domain name system (DNS) and demand for new domain names will likely compound the tension between the use of identifiers in the virtual world, and those same identifiers in the physical world. As a general principle, Canada believes that framework rules ought to be the same for both the physical and virtual worlds.
The current practice of allowing the registration of International Nonproprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances (INNs) as domain names may suggest a proprietary right in INNs on-line, to which holders would not be entitled in the off-line environment. As such, some form of protection within the DNS for INNs may therefore be appropriate.
Issues related to geographical indications are significant and far from settled. The vigorous debates that have taken place within the Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT) and in other fora such as TRIPS Council clearly demonstrate the ongoing difficulties in international harmonization. As a result, it is premature to move forward in developing new legal principles for geographical indications in relation to domain names in isolation of such ongoing work. Canada supports the recommendation not to introduce an exclusion mechanism for geographical indications, but does not support the recommendation that the scope of the UDRP be broadened to cover abusive registrations of these terms. We believe that this issue is worthy of further consideration in a timely manner in the context of ongoing WIPO work.
The issues pertaining to geographical names, which are currently not subject to protection under intellectual property laws, give rise to a number of questions. There is no international consensus on the answers. The registration of the names of the worlds indigenous peoples as domain names also merits further study as part of WIPOs ongoing work in the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore.
Should WIPO make recommendations with respect to the DNS for identifiers not governed by existing international agreements, it should also advise how those recommendations could be implemented without creating new legal rights or obligations.
Canada appreciates the significant advances WIPO has made in gaining a better understanding of such complex issues. We look forward to receiving WIPOs Report on the Second Process and to working together with the international community in promoting improved use of the Internet.
Thank you.