To: process.mail@wipo.int
From: "Luis de Barros"
Subject: RFC-3
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2001 19:56:10 +0200
Name: Luis de Barros
Organization: Radius Works
Position: Technical Specialist
I have to object to the use of INNs for Pharmaceutical Substances. While I think that the WHO has done an enormous amount of good work, they have no business in deciding which domain names (and variations) can or cannot be registered.
The mis-use of pharmaceutical/medical domains is a fact of life. Everyone is mis-informing their visitors in order to sell their products. Happened to me when I bought my last car at the Ford dealership. It's the individuals responsibility to investigate and do proper research. There are trusted and valid medical sites that provide valuable information. Instead of blocking the registration (and most likely the renewal) of INN domains, why not create sites that inform the consumer? WHO should take the initiative and make its responsibility to be THE source and along with pharmaceutical companies take legal action against irresponsible individuals.
WHO should work with governments to ensure that proper medical information is provided. If someone has the domain www.aspirin.com and has a gallery of her collection of Aspirin bottles dating back to the 1940 then more power to her. The domain filtering won't help other sites, such as someone suggesting to ingest 20 aspirins followed by a shot of Vodka can still reside on www.geocities.com site.
The first come, first serve idea should be the basis for domains. INNs are not going to solve the problems that WHO mentions.
Thank you,
Luis de Barros