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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dear Trademark Clearinghouse IAG,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Please see my below comments on the following issues:<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Issue T3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dear Trademark Clearinghouse IAG,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The issue has been raised whether to use EPP as the communication protocol of choice for communications between the Trademark Clearinghouse and the registries and registrars. While I understand that use of DNS or https in conjunction with xml are viable alternatives, I still believe that EPP should be the protocol of choice. First, most registrars and registries already possess a working familiarity with EPP as they use it in their day-to-day operations, and it will be a required protocol between all registries and registrars in all new gTLDs. Second, EPP was originally designed with the flexibility and adaptability in mind to extend its use in situations such as this. Finally, the implementation costs for EPP are already well-known by all the involved parties, including ICANN itself. To deviate from EPP would add more unknown costs and implementation variables when a workable, easily implemented solution of EPP is readily available.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Issue N2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dear Trademark Clearinghouse IAG,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>With respect to Issue N2, I agree that there should be penalties for any individuals making fraudulent submissions to the Clearinghouse. If an individual does indeed make a fraudulent submission, then I believe that the appropriate penalty should be to forfeit that listing. Should this individual make repeated fraudulent submissions, however, then I believe a lifetime ban from the Clearinghouse is an appropriate penalty.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Regarding the time period for revalidation in the Clearinghouse, I believe that annual or biannual revalidation periods create unduly burdensome reporting requirements for trademark owners, especially if a markholder chooses to register a significant number of marks. Accordingly, I think that the revalidation period in the Clearinghouse should match the timeframe for renewal required in the applicant’s trademark jurisdiction (<i>e.g.</i> a markholder in U.S. would submit his revalidation to the Clearinghouse when he also submits the corresponding renewal to the USPTO).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Brian<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-family:Arrow;color:black'>Brian J. Winterfeldt, Esq.</span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arrow;color:#00B0F0'>Steptoe & Johnson LLP</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue'><br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arrow;color:black'>1330 Connecticut Avenue, NW</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arrow;color:black'>Washington, DC 20036</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arrow;color:black'>TEL 202.429.6260 | FAX 202.261.7547</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><br></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arrow'>The information contained in this e-mail may be privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this e-mail message in error, please e-mail the sender at “<span style='color:#00B0F0'><a href="mailto:bwinterfeldt@steptoe.com"><span style='color:#00B0F0'>bwinterfeldt@steptoe.com</span></a></span>.” Thank you.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>