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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Thanks for your contribution, Bill. I
appreciate your thinking outside the box. To that end, I would highly
recommend that we pursue the suggestion to invite all of the .BRANDS to our BC
meeting in BJ and give that discussion significant time for all of us to better
understand what we are discussing. To be clear, this recommendation is not ‘kicking
the can down the road’; rather it is stepping up and addressing the issue as
soon as we can. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I would also submit that we do the same regarding
the matter of singular/plural confusingly similar.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Separately, I noticed that the IPC list has
been previously copied on this thread. With this mail I am re-orienting this
discussion exclusively to the BC list.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Kind regards,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>RA<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Ronald N. Andruff</span></font><font
color=blue><span style='color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><a href="http://www.rnapartners.com">RNA
Partners, Inc.</a></span></font><span class=MsoHyperlink><u><font size=2
color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></u></span></p>
</div>
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face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Smith, Bill
[mailto:bill.smith@paypal-inc.com] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, March 07, 2013
3:20 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Mike Roberts<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> Ron Andruff; bc - GNSO list;
IPC Discussion List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [bc-gnso]
McCarthy/Franklyn comments on closed generics</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Why is it that the BC, or any other constituency has to come up with
*one* position? It's fairly clear that we will have a multiple opinions,
perhaps as many as there are members. T my mind, that is a good thing and
allows this community, the Internet one, to be vibrant, multi-colored if you
will, as opposed to the black and white world of voting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I agree with Ron that more discussion is required. I'm not sure I agree
with a "minority" opinion since that suggests voting, and that should
be anathema in a consensus-based organization.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I don't have a solution to the closed generic problem, and I'm not sure
one will be say to develop. I will offer that for certain intractable problems,
restating the problem in a different form can sometimes lead to an 80% solution
to the original problem.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Perhaps such an approach could work here (and elsewhere within ICANN).
While certainly guilty of the "look there's a dead horse let's beat
it" mentality here at ICANN, I suggest we attempt to seek more creative
ways to address some of these issues.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Some options:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Kick it down the road - Perhaps we aren't quite ready to decide this
issue and therefore need more input. Is there harm in delaying decisions on
"closed generics"? If so, who is harmed and to what extent?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Make it someone else's problem - Would WIPO be better suited to decide
this issue? Perhaps the GAC since (some) governments are claiming their role at
ICANN is too limited?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Create a market - Consider charging closed generics additional fees
with those funds directed to some "beneficial purpose". Allow
applicants to "bid". Perhaps funds would be used to support the IGF.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Happy to hear from others.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
On Mar 7, 2013, at 10:14 AM, "Mike Roberts" <<a
href="mailto:mmr@darwin.ptvy.ca.us">mmr@darwin.ptvy.ca.us</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt' type=cite>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Ron - <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Applaud your search for clarity. There's only one possible
response:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>"What is it you don't understand about closed monopoly generic
gTLDs? The answer is no."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>- Mike<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>On Mar 7, 2013, at 9:20 AM, Ron Andruff wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Dear colleagues,<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>I hesitate to wade into the middle of a
lawyer’s debate (not being one), but there are some relevant points being made
in this discussion and I would like to highlight that. Both Phil and Mike
have ‘dogs in this fight’ as they say, and for the record I do not. It
seems to me that even though the BC has some members who are applicants for
generic words, the BC as a whole needs to have more discussion on this matter
to get some clarity and sadly I, for one, am not seeing enough discussion on
this list. Generic words as TLDs is a BIG deal and it behooves us to
flesh this out and take a position on it one way or the other (allowing for
dissenting statements to the greater BC position). To turn a blind eye is
to ignore the elephant in the room, in my view. Lack of action could also
send a message that the members are so conflicted that the BC neglected its
responsibility to bring the voice of small and big business to the ICANN debate
on this matter.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>With regard to Mike’s comment: “</span></font><font
size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
Calibri;color:#1F497D'>…care much more about the problem of .sport and .sports,
for example, coexisting as ICANN appears set to allow. That seems to have
a much higher likelihood of massive consumer confusion…” </span></font><font
size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:blue'>I believe this issue needs to be pushed back both vigorously and
rapidly, before it can gain a foothold. Clearly, plurals and singular
words are confusingly similar… one only need pronounce both words right after
each other to hear how confusingly similar they are. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>These are my two cents! I welcome
hearing other members’ thoughts on these two critically important issues.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Kind regards,<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>RA<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Ronald N. Andruff</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><a href="http://www.rnapartners.com/">RNA
Partners, Inc.</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <a
href="mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org">owner-bc-gnso@icann.org</a> [<a
href="mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org">mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org</a>] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Phil Corwin<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, March 06, 2013
3:15 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:personname u4:st="on"><a
href="mailto:mike@rodenbaugh.com">mike@rodenbaugh.com</a></st1:personname>; 'bc
- GNSO list'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> 'IPC Discussion List'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [bc-gnso] RE:
McCarthy/Franklyn comments on closed generics</span></font><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Mike:<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I appreciate the
disclosure in the attachment that you represent “a number of applicants
intending to operate ‘Single-Registrant’ TLD models as allowed by the terms of
the Final Applicant Guidebook and Draft Registry Agreement”.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>While you know that
I love to engage in vigorous legal and policy debate, I regret that I don’t
have the bandwidth today to respond to all your questions because of client work
being done under deadline. I have no doubt this dialogue will continue, and
others on the distribution list can of course join in, and I look forward to
further engagement myself when my In Box is a bit less overflowing. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I would state that
if .brands and closed generics are viewed as joined at the hip, my personal
preference would be to deny the COC exemption to closed generics and allow
.brands to amend their applications so that they are for non-generic terms
(e.g., let Microsoft apply for single registrant operation of, for illustrative
example, .mswindows, Apple for .iApple, etc.) These are not
multi-registrant gTLDs that need to attract intuitive type-in traffic, and to
the extent they may be used for external as well as internal purposes they have
the marketing clout to readily educate customers, suppliers, and Internet users
regarding their proprietary right of the dot address.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I do note that while
your attachment asserts that “ICANN has reopened a significant policy issue
that was debated many years ago”, neither it nor your e-mail address a central
point I’ve made – that the registry agreement requires adherence to the COC,
that the COC generally restricts self-registrations by the registry operator,
and that the Section 6 exemption for single-registrant gTLDs requires an ICANN
discretionary decision and application of a public interest standard. I know of
no prior debate on what that public interest standard should be. Any comment on
the relevance of the Code of Conduct to this discussion? I’m sure your clients
must have been aware of it as they prepared their applications.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Best,<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Philip<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Philip
S. Corwin, Founding Principal</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Virtualaw
LLC</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:street u4:st="on"><st1:address u4:st="on"><st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>1155
F Street, NW</span></font></b></st1:address></st1:Street></st1:address></st1:street><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address u4:st="on"><st1:street u4:st="on"><st1:address
w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Suite</span></font></b></st1:Street><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:navy;font-weight:bold'></st1:street> 1050</span></font></b></st1:address></st1:address><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place u4:st="on"><st1:city u4:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Washington</span></font></b></st1:City><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:navy;font-weight:bold'></st1:city>, <st1:state u4:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">DC</st1:state></st1:State> <st1:postalcode u4:st="on"><st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">20004</st1:postalcode></st1:PostalCode></span></font></b></st1:place></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-559-8597/Direct</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-559-8750/Fax</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-255-6172/cell</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Twitter:
@VlawDC</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>"Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey</span></font></i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <a
href="mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org">owner-bc-gnso@icann.org</a> [<a
href="mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org">mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org</a>] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of <st1:personname u4:st="on"></span></b><a
href="mailto:icann@rodenbaugh.com">icann@rodenbaugh.com</a></st1:personname><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, March 06, 2013
2:03 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Phil Corwin; 'bc - GNSO list'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> 'IPC Discussion List'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [bc-gnso] RE:
McCarthy/Franklyn comments on closed generics<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Phil,<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>My disclosure is
contained at the head of my response to ICANN’s request for public comments,
attached. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>You have not tried
to answer some key questions. Why should Microsoft get to keep .windows
closed from the rest of the world? What about the fact that almost all
‘generic’ words in fact are registered as trademarks? What about the fact
that generic terms have been exclusive domain name property since the beginning
of the DNS, apparently with no adverse impact on either competition or consumer
confusion? Why should TLD policy be any different?<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>It has been very
difficult for me, personally, to criticize Professor McCarthy. He is
quite simply the best teacher I have ever had, and taught me the core
principles of trademark law on which I have built my career. But he is
wrong here, his reasoning is speculative and suspect on this important point,
as I have tried to explain. I would love to see his or your answers to my
questions.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Mike Rodenbaugh<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>RODENBAUGH LAW<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>tel/fax:
+1.415.738.8087<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><a
href="http://rodenbaugh.com/">http://rodenbaugh.com</a> <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Phil Corwin [<a
href="mailto:psc@vlaw-dc.com">mailto:psc@vlaw-dc.com</a>] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, March 06, 2013
10:12 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <a
href="mailto:mike@rodenbaugh.com">mike@rodenbaugh.com</a>; 'bc - GNSO list'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> IPC Discussion List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [bc-gnso] RE:
McCarthy/Franklyn comments on closed generics<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Mike:<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>With all respect,
Prof. McCarthy’s 7-volume treatise on Trademarks and Unfair Competition has
been cited in more than 3,000 judicial opinions <i><span style='font-style:
italic'><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Thomas_McCarthy">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Thomas_McCarthy</a></span></i>.
So I would hesitate to agree that he is “obviously wrong” on this matter.
At a minimum, given all the time and energy that ICANN has devoted to
respecting and protecting trademarks through such new gTLD RPMs as the TMC and
URS, his expert view on the incompatibility of closed gTLDs with trademark law
should be taken very seriously.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>While I personally
disagree that closed generics [which I regard as applications in which it is
proposed that the registry operator be the sole registrant in a proposed string
in which the applicant holds no trademark rights; that is, not a .brand] don’t
raise trademark law concerns, I do concur that competition issues also arise
and may even be the primary issue. In that regard, as well as in regard to
claims that the ICANN request for comments on closed generics somehow raises a
new issue, sets a precedent for major changes in the Applicant Guidebook, or
portends an unfair change in rules that applicants relied upon, I would respond
that the need to obtain an exemption from the Code of Conduct (COC) for a
closed registry has always been present, as well as the application of a public
interest standard to the granting of such a waiver, and that applicants cannot
now claim surprise or ignorance.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Section 2.14 of the
Registry Agreement has always stated that a registry operator must comply with
the COC set forth at Specification 9.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Section 1.b of the
COC has always stated that the registry operator and its parents, affiliates,
subcontractors, or other related entities can only register domains in the
registry to a very limited extent – restricted to names that are reasonably
necessary for the management, operations, and purpose of the TLD.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Section 6 of the COC
provides for an exemption process whereby ICANN may, in its sole discretion and
conditioned on its “reasonable satisfaction”, allow the registry operator to
register and maintain all domain registrations for its own exclusive
use – if ICANN determines that “application of this Code of Conduct to
the TLD is not necessary to protect the public interest”. My understanding of
the exemption clause is that it arose from the BC to accommodate .brands,
without any contemplation that certain applicants would seek to lock up dozens
of key dictionary words for their own exclusive use (in fact, their goal may be
less to use the registries than to deny access to current and potential
competitors).<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>So in my view this
debate is not about creating a new definition for “closed generics” but whether
the public interest requires ICANN to deny exemption requests for proposed
non-.brand closed registries. (And I absolutely reject the sophistic and
unconvincing arguments I have seen that an applicant can bypass the exemption
process entirely by simply declaring that its gTLD’s “purpose” is to be
for its own exclusive use – that would allow the exception to swallow the rule
and render Section 6 a pointless nullity.)<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>My personal view is
that closed generic gTLDs are inherently anti-competitive monopolies and that
ICANN should adopt a position that denial of such exemption requests is
necessary to protect the public interest. These applications are incompatible
with the competition and innovation justifications made for the new gTLD
program because they are motivated by anti-competitive self-interest and the
goal of denying these strings as a platform for pro-competitive innovation to
others. New gTLDs are the perfect platform for competitive vertical search –
are competition, innovation and the public interest better served by a .book
for Amazon’s exclusive use and protection of its existing dominance, a .search
for Google’s exclusive use and protection of its existing dominance, or
by open gTLDs for those strings that can be utilized by thousands of innovative
market entrants?<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>I further believe
that such a position is in ICANN’s best long-term interest, as well as the interest
of all who want to preserve its multi-stakeholder model against governmental
intrusion. While it is true that the competitive issues raised by closed gTLDs
are the ultimate responsibility of national competition authorities, ICANN will
do itself no favors if it approves closed generic gTLDs that subsequently
require years of investigation, enforcement actions, and expenditure of human
and financial resources (in an era of constrained public resources) by such
authorities when the matter could have been avoided in the first place by
adopting a responsible position of the public interest consideration for
granting COC exemptions.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>A final
consideration is the potential spectacle of thousands of closed generic
applications flowing into ICANN on the second round if it accommodates them in
the first. Domain and marketing consultants will surely be advising the world’s
largest companies that if they don’t file applications to lock up key
dictionary words for their own primary commercial activities that their
competitors may well grab then and close them off. ICANN could well realize a
$billion in application fees in the second round by marketing key words in the
world’s major languages for the purpose of locking them away rather than making
them available to global Internet users. I for one find the prospect of selling
off exclusive use of such words as if they were municipal stadium naming
rights to be crass and unseemly and, while in ICANN’s financial interests,
inconsistent with its responsibilities and role of managing the DNS in a manner
consistent with the public good.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>In closing, while I
shall leave it to Professor McCarthy to decide whether to take offense and
respond to your assertion that his comment letter constitutes an “apparent
conflict of interest” because of Microsoft’s sponsorship of the annual McCarthy
Symposium, I am incredulous that he would make the statements contained in his
comment letter if he did not fully subscribe to them. For the sake of full
disclosure, while the views expressed above are my personal views, I am
providing counsel to a new gTLD applicant that is in contention with a Google
application for a closed generic (ICA, the client with whom I am generally
associated and which I represent on the BC, did not have a consensus among its
members on closed generics). For the sake of full disclosure, and especially
given your assertion that Professor McCarthy’s comments evidence a conflict of
interest, will you disclose whether you are advising applicants for closed
generics?<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Regards,<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Philip <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Philip
S. Corwin, Founding Principal</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Virtualaw
LLC</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>1155
F Street, NW</span></font></b></st1:address></st1:Street></st1:address></st1:street><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
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w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Suite</span></font></b></st1:Street><b><font
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color:navy;font-weight:bold'></st1:street> 1050</span></font></b></st1:address></st1:address><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
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w:st="on"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Washington</span></font></b></st1:City><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:navy;font-weight:bold'></st1:city>, <st1:state u4:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">DC</st1:state></st1:State> <st1:postalcode u4:st="on"><st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">20004</st1:postalcode></st1:PostalCode></span></font></b></st1:place></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-559-8597/Direct</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-559-8750/Fax</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
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style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-255-6172/cell</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Twitter:
@VlawDC</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>"Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey</span></font></i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Mike Rodenbaugh
[<a href="mailto:mike@rodenbaugh.com">mailto:mike@rodenbaugh.com</a>] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, March 06, 2013
11:43 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Phil Corwin; 'bc - GNSO list'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> IPC Discussion List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [bc-gnso] RE:
McCarthy/Franklyn comments on closed generics<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Phil, thanks for
sending around Prof. McCarthy and Prof. Franklyn’s statement on so-called
‘closed generic’ TLD strings. I have great respect for Prof. McCarthy; he
taught me trademark law at USF in the early ‘90’s and his treatise is a leading
authority. However, this statement is not persuasive. The
fundamental premise you quote is obviously wrong. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>While trademark law,
by definition, may prohibit trademark registration of generic terms, it does
not and has never prohibited individuals from gaining exclusive property rights
in generic terms. There are millions of generic terms that are the
subject of exclusive domain name property rights, i.e. <a
href="http://chocolate.com">chocolate.com</a>, <a href="http://sex.com">sex.com</a>,
etc. Many countries recognize that <a href="http://chocolate.com">chocolate.com</a>,
for example, can function as a trademark even for the service of selling
chocolate, particularly after a period of exclusive use by which
distinctiveness is acquired. As you well know, there are many such
trademark registrations in many jurisdictions. Exclusive ownership has
always been permitted in regards to domain names at all levels of the DNS –
including the top level. Why should there be any policy difference between
TLDs and .com domains? Though the <st1:country-region u4:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1:country-region> has been more
conservative in granting trademark rights in domain names or TLD strings, no <st1:country-region u4:st="on"><st1:place u4:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region>
law has ever sought to prohibit exclusive use of generic domain names, and many
arguably generic words are registered as marks for related goods and services
(as well as a few arguably generic TLD strings). Indeed many TLD
operators and prospective TLD operators have secured trademark registration in
their TLD string, some in the <st1:country-region u4:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:country-region> and many more in <st1:place u4:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Europe</st1:place></st1:place> and elsewhere.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>As Prof. McCarthy
taught me and thousands of others, trademark law seeks to prevent confusion as
to source of a good or service. The type of confusion he and Prof.
Franklyn cite in their statement on this issue has nothing to do with product
source, and is purely speculative. They say (and you quote):<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color="#1f497d"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>“consumers
may mistakenly believe they are using a gTLD that allows for competition, when
in reality the gTLD is closed and the apparently competitive products are being
offered by a single entity”<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>They are
speculating, without citation to any evidence or authority, that consumers
“may” be confused as to some aspect or quality of the TLD service, but that has
nothing to do with confusion as to the source of that service. They are
speculating that the marketing of such TLDs will be confusing, when there is no
factual basis whatsoever for such speculation. Web users have had long
exposure to generic domain names used by myriad businesses, including
well-known brands, throughout the world for more than 20 years, with absolutely
no confusion ever documented as far as I am aware. That evidence ought to
trump the blank speculation even of well-respected trademark academics.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Furthermore, they do
not address why Apple Computer should get to own .apple or Microsoft should get
to own .windows (among many other examples of ‘generic’ dictionary words that
are trademarks, and that will be closed TLDs), and exclude anyone else from
registering domains in that TLD, even if they want to refer to the fruit or to the
glass building component. They do not address how consumer confusion in
that case would logically be any different than the consumer confusion they
posit.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Finally, it must be
noted that the annual McCarthy Symposium, probably not coincidentally held just
a few days ago, counts on Microsoft as its major sponsor. And of course
Microsoft has become one of the most outspoken critics of so-called closed
generic TLDs, quite curiously despite its own applications for .docs, .windows
and other ‘closed generic’ TLDs. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Given this apparent
conflict of interest, the blatantly faulty premise in its core reasoning, and
the misguided speculation as to future consumer expectations that appears
central to their argument, this one page statement leaves a lot of questions
and is far from persuasive, imho. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>This is not a
trademark issue, but a competition issue. It is also an issue of fairness
given that closed business models have been accepted by the community since
2006, and many companies have invested heavily in reliance on the fact that
such models are not prohibited by ICANN’s rules. All companies had the
same opportunity to make such investments. The primary voices arguing against
these models now are surrogates for those who passed on the opportunity (and,
curiously, Microsoft), those who are competing in contention sets with closed
business models, and those who want to sell unrestricted domain names and fear
disruption to the traditional domain name business model on which they have
built their business. Those patently self-interested concerns are not the
sort of concerns that should make any difference to ICANN at this point in the
new TLD program, or to anyone else in the world.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>We should all care
much more about the problem of .sport and .sports, for example, coexisting as
ICANN appears set to allow. That seems to have a much higher likelihood
of massive consumer confusion than does the operation of closed TLDs.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Best,<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Mike<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Mike Rodenbaugh<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>RODENBAUGH LAW<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>tel/fax:
+1.415.738.8087<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><a
href="http://rodenbaugh.com/">http://rodenbaugh.com</a> <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <a
href="mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org">owner-bc-gnso@icann.org</a> [<a
href="mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org">mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org</a>] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Phil Corwin<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, March 01, 2013 4:29
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Steve DelBianco; bc - GNSO
list<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [bc-gnso] RE: Contention
sets for new gTLDs<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>“Unbelievably, they
did not consider the singular and plural versions of key words to be
confusingly similar.”<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Unbelievable indeed.
How about .dumb and .dumber?<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Meanwhile the
leading trademark authority in the <st1:country-region u4:st="on"><st1:place u4:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region>,
Professor Thomas McCarthy, has just filed a statement opposing closed
generic gTLDs as being inconsistent with trademark law and its goals -- <a
href="http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-closed-generic-05feb13/msg00034.html">http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-closed-generic-05feb13/msg00034.html</a>
--<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>“Trademark law in
every country in the world forbids individuals to gain exclusive<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>property rights in
generic names of products. One of the primary rationales for this rule is to<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>prevent a single
person or company from gaining an unfair competitive advantage in the<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>marketplace. Private
ownership of generic language is not consistent with free enterprise and<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>fair competition in
an open economy. If ICANN were to approve closed, generic gTLDs, these<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>important goals
would be undermined…<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>Transparency and
consumer choice are goals of the trademark system of every country in<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>the world. In our
view, these values are threatened by closed, generic gTLDs. Indeed, should<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>these types of new
gTLDs be approved, consumers may mistakenly believe they are using a<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>gTLD that allows for
competition, when in reality the gTLD is closed and the apparently<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>competitive products
are being offered by a single entity. This would allow the owner of the<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>generic gTLD to gain
exclusive recognition as the provider of a generic service, something that<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>is prohibited by
Trademark law.”<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'>How will that
reflect on ICANN and the new gTLD program?<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Philip
S. Corwin, Founding Principal</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Virtualaw
LLC</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:street u4:st="on"><st1:address u4:st="on"><st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>1155
F Street, NW</span></font></b></st1:address></st1:Street></st1:address></st1:street><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address u4:st="on"><st1:street u4:st="on"><st1:address
w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Suite</span></font></b></st1:Street><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:navy;font-weight:bold'></st1:street> 1050</span></font></b></st1:address></st1:address><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place u4:st="on"><st1:city u4:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on"><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Washington</span></font></b></st1:City><b><font
size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:navy;font-weight:bold'></st1:city>, <st1:state u4:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">DC</st1:state></st1:State> <st1:postalcode u4:st="on"><st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">20004</st1:postalcode></st1:PostalCode></span></font></b></st1:place></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-559-8597/Direct</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-559-8750/Fax</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>202-255-6172/cell</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>Twitter:
@VlawDC</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><i><font size=2 color=navy face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:navy;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>"Luck is the residue of design" -- Branch Rickey</span></font></i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color="#1f497d" face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F497D'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <a
href="mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org">owner-bc-gnso@icann.org</a> [<a
href="mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org">mailto:owner-bc-gnso@icann.org</a>] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Steve DelBianco<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Friday, March 01, 2013 6:50
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> bc - GNSO list<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [bc-gnso] Update:
Contention sets for new gTLDs<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><u1:p> </u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>Wanted you all to see
this. I think it will reflect poorly on ICANN's expansion of TLDs. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>ICANN hired an
international expert panel to scour 1900 new TLD strings and determine which
were confusingly similar, so they could be combines in the same contention set.
<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>This is to ensure we
don't delegate 2 TLD strings that would confuse Internet users because they are
too similar. I expected, for example, that the applications received for
.hotel and .hotels would be in the same contention set, since it would be
confusing for users to have both TLDs out there. (It would increase the
cost of defensive registrations, too, since hotels would have to buy domains in
both TLDs. )<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>After several months
of careful study, ICANN's experts published their contention sets yesterday. (<a
href="http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-26feb13-en.htm">link</a>)
<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-left:30.0pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<blockquote style='margin-left:30.0pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>They
"identified" 230 "exact match contention sets" where
multiple applicants sought the exact same string.<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>And they found just 2
"non-exact match contention sets" (unicom and unicorm; hoteis
and hotels )<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>Unbelievably, they did
not consider the singular and plural versions of key words to be confusingly
similar. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>This means we will get
new TLDs for both the singular and plural versions of keywords such as:<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>ACCOUNTANT<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>ACCOUNTANTS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>AUTO <span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>AUTOS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>CAR<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>CARS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>CAREER<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>CAREERS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>COUPON<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>COUPONS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>CRUISE<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>CRUISES<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>DEAL<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>DEALS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>FAN<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>FANS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>GAME<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>GAMES<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>GIFT<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>GIFTS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>HOME<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>HOMES<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>HOTEL<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>HOTELS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>HOTEL<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>HOTELES<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>KID<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>KIDS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>LOAN<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>LOANS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>MARKET<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>MARKETS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>NEW<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>NEWS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>PET<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>PETS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>PHOTO<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>PHOTOS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>REVIEW<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>REVIEWS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>SPORT<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>SPORTS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>TOUR<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span><st1:city u4:st="on"><st1:place u4:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">TOURS</st1:place></st1:city><u1:p></u1:p></st1:place></st1:City></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>WEB<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>WEBS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>WORK<span
class=apple-tab-span> </span>WORKS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>What are the
implications for applicants? Well, let's take an example. The 2
Applicants for .GIFT just got a huge gift from ICANN when they were not placed
in the same contention set as the 2 applicants for .GIFTS<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
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<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>One of the 2 .GIFT
guys must prevail in their "singular" contention set.
They can then proceed to delegation, as they planned. Or they can
negotiate to be bought-out by the winning applicant from the plural contention
set ( .GIFTS ).<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>In other words, many
applicants dodged a bullet by escaping from contention with their
singular/plural form competitors. My guess is they want to explore
ways to monetize their good fortune. <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'> --<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>Steve DelBianco<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>Executive Director<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>NetChoice<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><a
href="http://www.NetChoice.org/">http://www.NetChoice.org</a> and <a
href="http://blog.netchoice.org/">http://blog.netchoice.org</a> <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'>+1.202.420.7482 <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'><u1:p> </u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:black'> <u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
color:black'>
<hr size=1 width="100%" noshade color="#a0a0a0" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 color=black face=Calibri><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Calibri;
color:black'>No virus found in this message.<br>
Checked by AVG - <a href="http://www.avg.com/">www.avg.com</a><br>
Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2641/6130 - Release Date: 02/25/13<u1:p></u1:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=1 width="100%" noshade color="#a0a0a0" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>No virus found in
this message.<br>
Checked by AVG - <a href="http://www.avg.com/">www.avg.com</a><br>
Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2641/6130 - Release Date: 02/25/13<br>
Internal Virus Database is out of date.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=1 width="100%" noshade color="#a0a0a0" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>No virus found in
this message.<br>
Checked by AVG - <a href="http://www.avg.com/">www.avg.com</a><br>
Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2641/6130 - Release Date: 02/25/13<br>
Internal Virus Database is out of date.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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</u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></blockquote>
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