oh and, http://forum.icann.org/lists/eoi-new-gtlds/msg00072.html 1 Dec 2009 Constantine Roussos: "(W)ithin the scope of 'front-running,' we agree that ICANN should impose rules against 'front-running' schemes for new TLDs, particularly relative to "pre-emptive trademarking." Speculative trademarks filed for non-awarded TLDs should bear no weight in the ICANN new TLD process. We regrettably note that since ICANN Cairo, and before, several companies/initiatives were constrained to defensively seek trademarks for new TLDs after being faced by other companies/initiatives that secured speculative trademarks in an attempt to front-run the system. Perhaps they 'hope' to 'benefit' in their application and/or from an objection position. All new TLDs must be issued on the substantive merits of new TLD applicants and their applications, and not by any front-running scheme." On Fri, Apr 6, 2012 at 5:03 PM, Joly MacFie <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > (sigh) > > http://domainnamewire.com/2012/04/06/new-tld-trademark-eu/ > > New gTLD hopefuls play trademark games in EU, too > Friday, April 6th, 2012 > > French lawyer with ICANN, NAF, and WIPO connections helps new TLD > applicants file > trademarks for prospective top level domains. > > I've chronicled many of the attempts by new gTLD hopefuls to > "frontrun" trademarks for new > TLDs in the United States. Here are 115 examples. > > But that's just in the U.S. system. And it's not a huge threat since > the U.S. Patent and > Trademark Office is rejecting these applications. > > Yet there's some trademarking activity in the European Union as well. > > One of the prolific filers is Constantine Roussos, who is behind one > of the .music > initiatives. > > Back in 2009 he successfully registered two stylized trademarks for > dot music with the > Trade Marks and Design Registrations Office of the European Union. He > later tried to file > a similar one in the U.S. but was rebuffed. > > While ICANN doesn't care about existing "dot" trademarks, it's > possible these trademarks > will cause TLDs to get tied up in the courts. > > In 2010 Roussos commented to ICANN: > > Rest assured that if we, as .MUSIC are faced with the possibility > of being gamed and > abused in a manner that we find illegal, we will use our trademarks > and other means > necessary to do what we have to do to protect ourselves and our > respective community. > While trademarks alone should not be the sole determinant of earning a > TLD, it is the only > means we have of protection, since ICANN has not incorporated any > mechanisms to prevent > TLD applicant abuse, gaming and unfair piggybacking from other initiatives. > > Now it's not just .music Roussos is after. He has filed 21 additional > applications since > December 30. They all have stylized logos like these: > -- --------------------------------------------------------------- Joly MacFie 218 565 9365 Skype:punkcast WWWhatsup NYC - http://wwwhatsup.com http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com VP (Admin) - ISOC-NY - http://isoc-ny.org -------------------------------------------------------------- -