[A2k] WIPO: DNS Developments Feed Growing Cybersquatting Concerns

[Anne-Catherine Lorrain]

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WIPO has released its report on the domain name registration system (DNS) f=
or 2008.

http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2008/article_0015.html

Against the background of an unprecedented number of cybersquatting cases i=
n 2007, the evolving nature of the domain name registration system (DNS) is=
 causing growing concern for trademark owners around the world. Last year, =
a record 2,156 complaints alleging cybersquatting - or the abusive registra=
tion of trademarks on the Internet - were filed with the World Intellectual=
 Property Organization's (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center (Center), =
representing an 18% increase over 2006 and a 48% increase over 2005 in the =
number of generic and country code Top Level Domain (gTLDs and ccTLDs) disp=
utes.

"These increases confirm that 'cybersquatting' remains a significant issue =
for rights holders," said Mr. Francis Gurry, WIPO Deputy Director General, =
who oversees WIPO's dispute resolution work, noting that a number of develo=
pments in the DNS are also cause for concern from the perspective of intell=
ectual property holders, as well as Internet users generally. Among these, =
use of privacy services to shield abusive registrations and the evolving ro=
le of certain domain name registrars, together with the ongoing trademark a=
buse reflected in WIPO's caseload, raise concerns about the introduction of=
 a number of new gTLDs announced for late 2008.