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<p>As we revisit the topic of Closed Generics, I would like to share
a few thoughts as a reminder on how this issue (of "generic
words") has been dealt with in other forums. This is a
long-established issue... <br>
</p>
<p>1) Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure, US Trademark Office:
<br>
</p>
<p>"Generic terms are incapable of functioning as marks denoting
source, and are not registrable on the Principal Register under
§2(f) or on the Supplemental Register." 807.14(e)(ii)</p>
<p>2) Our own Community Objection process reviewed and raised the
same deep concerns for gTLDs in which the applicant (a competitor
in a field)<br>
</p>
<p>ICC New gTLD Community Objections determination: "The
establishment of unrestricted, exclusive rights to a gTLD that is
strongly associated with a certain community or communities,
particularly where those communities are, or are likely to be,
active in the Internet sphere <b>seems to me inherently
detrimental to those communities' interests." [Note: the
"communities" being referred to here are commercial
communities. The issue of a closed .MOBILE was raised by the
CTIA which represents the US mobile wireless industry. </b>1-1316-6133</p>
<p>Best, Kathy<br>
</p>
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