[Random-bits] "Fixing" the free speech problem with WIPO

[James Love]

James Huggins asks what can be done to "fix" the problem of WIPO
decisions taking away domain names that are used for criticism of a
trademark owner.  I'm sure there are various strategies.  Certainly US
court challenges to these decisions would be one possibility.  WIPO
arbitrators would probably be influenced by such decisions.  There is,
of course, the issue of decisions outside the US that might go the other
way.  ICANN, the public or governments could also propose guidelines to
WIPO for the UDRP on issues that relate to free speech, or on particular
issues, such as the WIPO decisions regarding confusion.  The ICANN
Non-Commerical Constituency is looking at the UDRP, and will attempt to
adopt some type of resolution on the issue of free speech and the UDRP. 
There are, however, some people in that constituency who are clearly
opposed to any actions to protect free speech, so the outcome is not
certain.  Other non-ICANN bodies should consider addressing these issues
too, to provide some sense of global norms. For example, I will be
proposing language on this issue for the Trans Atlantic Consumer
Dialogue, and I hope other groups pass resolutions on these topics, and
send communications to WIPO, which is beginning a second review of the
UDRP process.

In looking over the WIPO decisions, people should look at "bad" free
speech decisions such as:


http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/d2000-0681.html
STANDARDCHARTEREDSUCKS.COM

http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/d2000-0279.html
Mission KwaSizabantu v. Benjamin Rost

http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/d2000-0071.html
csa-international.net

and "good" decisions, such as:

http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/d2000-0410.html
scientologie.org

http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/d2000-0190.html
bridgestone-firestone.net


   Jamie

---------------------

From: "James S. Huggins (dot com)" <JHuggins@JamesSHuggins.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list RANDOM-BITS"
<random-bits@venice.essential.org>
Subject: RE: [Random-bits] WIPO confused over "sucks" in domain name
Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 07:32:56 -0500

So, what, if any, opportunities exist to "fix" this problem?

-----Original Message-----

Here is an example of the twisted WIPO assertion that consumers will
confuse "sucks" sites with the trademark owner's own domain.  Jamie

http://arbiter.wipo.int/domains/decisions/html/d2000-0681.html




-- 
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James Love, Director           | http://www.cptech.org
Consumer Project on Technology | mailto:love@cptech.org 
P.O. Box 19367                 | voice: 1.202.387.8030
Washington, DC 20036           | fax:   1.202.234.5176
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