Intellectual Property groups already asking for way to add URS to existing top level domain names.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The ICANN Intellectual Property Constituency (IPC) has asked ICANN to insert a provision into registry agreements for existing TLDs that could lead to Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) expanding beyond new top level domain names.
URS is a faster and cheaper form of Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). It was designed as an additional rights protection for new top level domain names. At the time it was proposed, we knew it was only a matter of time before there would be pressure to add it to existing top level domain names.
IPC submitted comments on the registry renewal agreements for .info, .biz, and .org, that would enable URS to be applied to the TLDs should it prove a successful mechanism for fighting cybersquatting.
The comments says the contracts “should incorporate a commitment to adopt the URS if, after a review of its functioning in the new gTLDs, the URS appears to be reasonably effective in achieving its objectives.”
IPC is concerned that, the way the registry agreements are written, it would be difficult to require URS be added at a later date “other than through the extremely time-consuming process of enacting new Consensus Policies.”
You can re-read that last quote all you want.
In other news, water is wet.
Are .com and .net being considered as well?
Those contracts aren’t up for renewal right now.
I agree it is no surprise John. However, I think it is good to bring it to people’s attention.
By way of comparison, you will know that Nominet imposed the “summary” DRS procedure a while back for.uk domains. I know of at least two cases that required an appeal to recover valuable one-word generic domains originally lost that way in the Nominet system, at some difficulty and expense to the registrant.
I do not think people should let this submission pass without comment, if they have a different view.