WIPO Internet Domain Name Process

Report: Sydney Regional Consultation

On November 4, 1998, the last regional consultation within the framework of the WIPO Internet Domain Name Process was held in Sydney, Australia. The consultation was co-hosted by the IP Australia, the National Office for the Information Economy, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The meeting was attended on behalf of WIPO by Mr. Francis Gurry, Legal Counsel, WIPO, and Ms. Catherine Regnier, Consultant, Electronic Commerce section, Office of Legal and Organization Affairs. The panel of experts assisting WIPO in its work was represented by

Mr. Ken Fockler (Former Chair and President, Canadian Association of Internet Providers) and Mr. Roger Hicks (Member, Asia and Pacific Internet Association).

The welcome address was made by Mr. Ross Wilson (Trademarks Registrar, IP Australia) and opening remarks were presented by Dr. Paul Twomey (CEO, National Office for the Information Economy).

The presentations and open discussions covered the four main topics to be addressed by the

WIPO Internet Domain Name Process: dispute prevention, dispute resolution, protection of famous and well-known marks, and introduction of new gTLDs. Issues that attracted particular attention were the desirability of the existence of a public record with relevant and sufficient details concerning the domain name registrant, the desirability of uniform policy between registrars of gTLDs and registrars of ccTLDs, the desirability of dispute resolution procedures administered by dispute resolution organisms (other than registries or registrars) which should act independently, the possibility to apply the publication system that exists for trademarks to domain names (this would permit to challenge the requested domain name), the desirability of gateways pages, the possibility to suspend the activation of the domain name until the settlement of the registration fees.

The table below lists those who made presentations or interventions during the course of the meeting.

A recording was made of the proceedings, and a transcript is available.

Speakers