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<BODY lang=EN-US link=blue vLink=purple>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT color=#0000ff>Dear
Keith,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT color=#0000ff>I
think you offer some very great points here. I would like to respond to
some of them and raise some questions.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT color=#0000ff>1.
Two verbs (authentication and validation).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT color=#0000ff>I
think the two verbs are necessary. There are two distinct processes
performed by the TMC, each with their own independent lifecycles and
statuses. Some Trademark owners may elect to participate in trademark
claims only, or have no option to participate in sunrise due to lack of a
use specimen. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT color=#0000ff>Is
it possible that two (or more) different parties to apply
separately for the same trademark registration? - for example, a trademark
owner applies for authentication for the claims service, while its various
licensees apply for validation of their use specimens so they can be
eligible for sunrise periods restricted by geography or goods and services.
(assuming licensees can be validated by the TMC)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=421184422-02022012><FONT color=#0000ff>2.
asserting rights</FONT></SPAN></DIV><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>I agree that the "submitter" does
not need to be the trademark owner. I wonder if y</SPAN>our point about
rights being asserted during sunrise makes some implicit assumptions that
have not been <SPAN class=421184422-02022012>addressed</SPAN>:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left></SPAN><SPAN
class=421184422-02022012><FONT color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><SPAN
class=421184422-02022012><FONT color=#0000ff>- Does the sunrise applicant need
to be a party that was validated by the TMC? (even if they can produce the token
proving validation?)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>- Is it expected that the TMC
will validate parties who are not owners-of-record, such as licensees and
assignees?</SPAN></FONT><SPAN class=421184422-02022012> </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><SPAN
class=421184422-02022012>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>- Is the sunrise registrant free to
sell their domain name to any third party at any time? (without also selling
their underlying trademark rights?) </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>- Should the Whois for
the sunrise registration display the sunrise registrant AND the
underlying trademark owner (if different)?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>(I believe in the past that some
gTLD's would display the original sunrise registrant in the Whois even if the
domain name change ownership over time.)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>3. Authoritative
Source</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>I agree that the government
trademark record should be viewed as the authoritative source. Trademark
owners should be encouraged to ensure that ownership and addresses are accurate
and current before submitting applications for authentication. The TMC
should not simply accept "declarations" from applicants who have failed to
properly maintain their trademark records, since this will cause the TMC records
to diverge from government trademark records. If declarations are
accpeted, then there should be a surcharge to cover the extra
</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>work
required</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>Perhaps the TMC should reward
applicants with accurate data since they are less costly to process
than applications with inaccurate data?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>I agree that certified trademark
records should be included with all applications from jurisdictions without
online databases. But we should also detail the steps
to review these documents. Should the reviewer have expertise in
the language and jurisdiction of the trademark? (I think yes) What
attributes should be reviewed? </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>At a minimum: the TMC should
verify the document reflects an active and valid registration and accurately
reflects ownership and address of the applicant. So, if rejected, what
corrective options is recommended for the trademark owner to
take?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>4. Specimen of
Use</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>What else should be evaluated in
the use specimen besides whether it reflects the goods and services of the
trademark? </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>- Should the specimen be in the
same language as the trademark? </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>- Shold the specimen be targeted
towards markets in the same jurisdiction? </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>- How recent does the specimen need
to be? </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>- What other evaluation criteria
should the TMC follow to determine if the specimen is
acceptable?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>- Should the reviewer have
expertise in the language and jurisdiction? (I think
yes)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>best regards,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>Tom Barrett</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN class=421184422-02022012>EnCirca</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=421184422-02022012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT size=2
face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> tmch-iag-bounces@icann.org
[mailto:tmch-iag-bounces@icann.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Keith
Barritt<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 02, 2012 11:59 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
tmch-iag@icann.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Tmch-iag] Keith Barritt comments on N1
(TMC Authentication Standards) and N2 (Validation Standard for Proof of
Use)<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV><BR><BR>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><IMG
id=Picture_x0020_1
alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: http://fishnet.fr.com/C15/Marketing%20Department%20Policies/Fish%20Logos/FR_logo.jpg"
src="cid:421184422@02022012-06A3" width=386 height=56></SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Dear Fellow IAG Members:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Below are my comments on both N1 and N2, which expand on my
earlier comments of January 26. But first I again query why we have two
verbs – “authentication” and “validation” – when either one (or simply
“verification”) would seem to suffice quite nicely for both areas. In
short, what is the <I><U>point</U></I> of having different verbs? The TMC
should verify/authenticate/validate factual information, whether that is the
trademark registration/treaty/statute/judicial status of the mark. I
believe we should simplify as much as possible all of the new terminology that
tens of thousands of people or more around the world will have to learn.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>And while I know this is almost certainly a lost cause, and
proper apologies for my inability to come to terms with it yet, at least in my
own notes I still always use “TMC” and not “TMCH.” While the convention of
abbreviating “trademark” as “TM” is long-established, it seems odd to me to
abbreviate the single word “clearinghouse” based on the first letter of each
syllable, which to my mind is not conventional for most abbreviations in English
(e.g. the mark DSW (not DSWH) for Designer Shoe Warehouse).
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><U>N1 Verification Standards<o:p></o:p></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><B><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><![endif]><B> Name of Submitter<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I do not believe we need evidence of authorization by the
trademark owner of the submitter of the information. Mere entry of data
into the TMC does not give any substantive rights. Rather, it is only when
a Sunrise registration is sought that the ownership of the trademark becomes
important. Thus, it should be easy for anyone to submit information into
the TMC, but when a Sunrise regsitration is sought the applicant’s name must
match the owner of record of the mark in the TMC.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>As stated by ICANN in the N1 discussion draft, “[t]he
objective is to ensure that the entity <I><U>asserting the rights</U></I> is
authorized by the rights holder to exercise those rights.” The mere entry
of data into the TMC is not an “assertion” of rights. Rather, the only
time that such rights are asserted is for a Sunrise registration, or perhaps in
a URS/URDP proceeding if complainants may point to information in the TMC to
support their case. In either event, the name of the party asserting the
right, whether a Sunrise applicant or URS/UDRP complainant, should match the
name of record of the owner of the mark in the TMC, regardless of who submitted
that mark to the TMC (and perhaps regardless of who submits the Sunrise
application on behalf of the mark owner if we are to allow such submissions, and
why shouldn’t we as long as the name of the applicant and the name of the mark
owner match?)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>If an unscrupulous third party enters another’s trademark in
the TMC and then tries to rely on it for Sunrise registration purposes, the
Sunrise application should be denied because the ownership/address of record for
the trademark registration will be different. So trademark owners will
need to be certain they have recorded any changes of ownership/address with the
relevant Trademark Office and updated the TMC before claiming Sunrise rights,
but I think that is better than having additional procedures in place regarding
who is submitting each mark for entry into the TMC. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>If an unscrupulous third party enters the mark owner’s name
and address in its Sunrise application, as well as the electronic contact
information from when it originally submitted the information in the TMC, it
will have essentially obtained a Sunrise registration for the mark owner,
perhaps unbeknownst to the mark owner. But the registration would not be
the third party’s to sell or operate. What would be the incentive for the
third party to do so? Or the harm? I may be overlooking something
obvious, and perhaps we would need some sort of paper notification to the mark
owner (sent to the address of record in the TMC) to avoid such problems, but I
am not yet convinced that expense is necessary.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><B><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><![endif]><B> Contact Information<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Verifying the accuracy of the contact information of the
submitter of information through a simple “please respond to this email” message
seems reasonable, to ensure that typos of contact information do not creep into
the system.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><B><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">3.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><![endif]><B> Declaration<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>The declaration should state that the information submitted
“is to the best of the submitter’s knowledge believed to be true and current”
and not that it “is” true and current. This change would be consistent
with ICANN’s draft “declaration” for proof of use in the N2 discussion
draft.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><B><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">4.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><![endif]><B> Registration
Numbers/Information<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>It should be a relatively simple matter to verify submitted
registration numbers (and all other information in the registration) for those
national offices that maintain electronic databases. The trickier issue is
how to treat submissions for entry into the TMC for registrations from countries
that do not maintain electronic databases that the TMC can easily access.
It is difficult to imagine the TMC incurring the expense of employing trademark
searchers to manually verify the status of each registration from such
countries.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Rather than requiring a higher fee from such mark owners for
such manual searches, or requiring that other mark owners subsidize the expense
of manual verification, the TMC could require that all submissions for entry
into the TMC from countries that do not maintain an electronic database must
include a (certified?) copy of the registration. Perhaps such
registrations (and maybe all registrations?) should be accompanied by a
translation into one of a few specified (the six UN?) langauges that the TMC
will announce it will accept, to further minimize the expense and burdens on the
TMC for entering data.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I do not recall the details of the issues with .biz and .info
in this regard. It might be useful to hear from those among us with more
detailed memories/experience (or from ICANN as to the particular problems
encountered) so that we can learn from whatever the problems
were.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><B><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">5.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><![endif]><B> Statute/Treaty
Information<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>In addition to providing a copy of the statute/treaty (plus
translation if necessary, as suggested above), the submitter could provide
reference to an authoritative source where the information can be
verified. It would be in the submitter’s interest to provide an online
resource if available to facilitate the entry of the information in the
TMC. The TMC may need to hire legal staff capable of verifying rights
alleged in a statute or treaty, especially if that source is not
online.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><B><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">6.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><![endif]><B> Court Information<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>ICANN’s N1 discussion draft suggests that the documentation
submitted should indicate that a court has found rights in a mark in a “class
for goods or services.” This should not be “class,” but rather for
“certain” goods or services. Very few judicial decisions, if any, will
grant rights to a mark holder for an entire “class.”<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I also query whether the information submitted must be an
order signed by a judicial officer. There does not seem to be any reason
why authoritative copies of court decisions, such as are available through Lexis
or from the printed West reporters in the United States, should not be
sufficient. The TMC could have the right to request additional
information, perhaps in the form of a signed order, if the original
documentation submitted is deemed insufficiently authoritative.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in" class=MsoNormal><B>N1 Questions for
Discussion<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><![endif]>Verification of contact information should not be
required for each record submitted, but rather only for each new “contact
record.”<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in" class=MsoNormal>2-4. The verification of
all information in the TMC should be relatively simple. The more complex
it is, the more expensive it will be, and thus the more underutilized and
unfulfilling of the promise of providing trademark owners with a meaningful way
to protect their rights. Entry of information into the TMC is not itself
an assertion of rights, and it should be easy to enter information, with more
scrutiny given to ownership at the time rights are asserted in a Sunrise
application (or URS/UDRP proceeding as permitted).<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in" class=MsoNormal>The TMC record must show the name
of the owner as recorded in the national trademark office, so there will be
added incentive of the trademark owner to ensure that the office’s records are
up-to-date. For statute/treaty and court-validated rights, if the name of
the claimant is different than stated in the statute/treaty/court ruling (and
there may be no named owner in a statute or treaty), then documentation
establishing current ownership should be required before any rights can be
asserted in a Sunrise application (or for URS/UDRP if data is used for such
purposes). This documentation could be submitted at the time of submission
of the information into the TMC at the mark owner’s option, and it would be to
the owner’s benefit to do so, but it should not be a condition of entry as long
as such ownership is verified before rights are asserted.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in" class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in" class=MsoNormal>5. As noted above, rather
than requiring a higher fee from such mark owners, or requiring that other mark
owners subsidize the expense of manual verification, the TMC could require that
all submissions for entry into the TMC from countries that do not maintain an
electronic database must include a copy of the registration. Perhaps such
registrations should be accompanied by a translation into one of a few langauges
that the TMC will accept, to further minimize the expense and burdens on the TMC
for entering data.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><U>N2 Verification of Proof of Use<o:p></o:p></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><B><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><![endif]><B> Declaration<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Under 3.8 of the TMC Section of the AGB, mark holders must
keep the information supplied to the TMC current. ICANN’s proposed
declaration in N2 suggests that the declarant state that “if any
Clearinghouse-validated mark subsequently becomes abandoned by the holder, the
holder will notify the Clearinghouse within a reasonable time that the mark has
been abandoned.” As I noted in my comments of January 26, this seems like
a reasonable approach and is better than requiring the trademark owner to
periodically update the TMC with proof of use (which would make the TMC more
onerous to use). While it might be desirable to specify a time frame, the
date of “abandonment” of a mark is not always so clear-cut. In addition,
what constitutes “abandonment” under national trademark laws can also
vary. Perhaps at a minimum a new declaration and specimen could be
submitted when the TMC is updated with the new expiration of the registration
when the registration is renewed at the national trademark
office.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><B><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><![endif]><B> Specimen of Use<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>The AGB actually provides two different requirements for the
specimen, probably unintentionally. Specifically, Section 5.2 of the TMC
Section of Module 5 states that “the mark holder <I><U>shall</U></I> be required
to provide evidence of use of themark in connection with the bona fide
<I><U>offering for sale</U></I> of goods or services.” By contrast,
Section 1.2.6.1 of the URS Procedure merely refers to proving “use in commerce”
without specifying the need for the offer for sale.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>This is an important issue, because under U.S. trademark law
the offering for sale is not necessarily required to obtain a trademark
registration. For example, use of a trademark on a drug in clinical trials
is recognized as a legitimate use in commerce for registration purposes, even if
no sales are offered. The case law is full of examples of other uses of a
mark (such as for promotional giveaways, product demonstrations, charitable
services offered for free, etc.) that do not constitute an “offering for sale”
but nonetheless give rise to trademark rights. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>The suggestion in my comments of January 26 was that the
standard should simply be whether the material “shows the mark in the bona fide
promotion or offering of goods or services covered by the registration.”
Perhaps this should be expanded slightly to “shows the mark in the bona fide
promotion, or offering, <I><U>or sale</U></I> of goods or services covered by
the registration.” I do not know if any retreat from the onerous “offering
for sale” standard in the current AGB requires that the AGB itself be amended,
but perhaps ICANN is making a list of issues in the AGB that need to be tweaked,
and this would be one of them.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I agree that mere inclusion of a mark in a domain name should
not constitute “use,” which is consistent with U.S. trademark
law.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.25in" class=MsoNormal><B>N2 Questions for
Discussion<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><![endif]>It should not be required to submit a specimen for each
class or item covered by the trademark registration, but the specimen should
cover at least something identified in the registration. The purpose of
the “proof of use” is to show the mark is in use for at least some of the
registered goods/services, and that should be enough to qualify for Sunrise
registration, even if the mark is not used on all the registered
goods/services.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><![endif]>Trademark owners are required to keep the information in
the TMC current. Thus, they will be updating the TMC as registrations are
renewed. A new declaration and specimen could be submitted to the TMC when
the mark owner provides the TMC with the new expiration date of the registration
when the registration is renewed at the national trademark
office.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5"
class=MsoListParagraph><![if !supportLists]><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">3.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><![endif]> As noted above, ICANN’s proposed declaration in N2
suggests that the declarant state that “if any Clearinghouse-validated mark
subsequently becomes abandoned by the holder, the holder will notify the
Clearinghouse within a reasonable time that the mark has been abandoned.”
This seems reasonable and is better than requiring the trademark owner to notify
the TMC within a specific period of time, since what constitutes abandonment
varies by national law.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraph><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Regards,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Keith Barritt<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><IMG
id=Picture_x0020_2
alt="Description: Description: Description: http://fishnet.fr.com/C15/Marketing%20Department%20Policies/Fish%20Logos/frlogo.bmp"
src="cid:421184422@02022012-06AA" width=25 height=23></SPAN>Fish &
Richardson P.C.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>1425 K Street N.W.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Suite 1100<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Washington, DC 20005<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Phone: (202) 626-6433<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Fax: (202)
783-2331<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A href="http://www.fr.com">www.fr.com</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P
class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR><BR><SPAN
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