Internet governance and the The domain name Domain vs domain name? •Domain name: •muni.cz • •Domain: •.cz = domain •muni = subdomain How the system works? •The user enters a domain name into the browser •The browser sends an inquiry to the “name server” •Name server searches the “domain sentence” in the DNS database and “translates” the domain name into the IP adress •The browser connects to the server • •=> DNS (domain name system) Structure of a domain name •Root domain . (always the highest position – depends on the situation) • •Top level domain (TLD) •Generic- .com .gov .org .biz .edu •National- .cz .uk .de .sk .ru • •Subdomain •muni.cz seznam.cz google.com • •Subdomains of lower levels •law.muni.cz pocasi.seznam.cz mail.google.com • • wikipedia.org Functions of a domain name •Technical •?Identification? •Not necessarily – e.g.goodwill.com •Search •Promotion •Competitive How domain names are assigned •Assignation is based on registration •The database of domain names is maintained by Administrators/Sponsors •Each top level domain has its administrator ICANN, EURid, CZ nic •The main task of administrator is to run DNS •The registration of domain names to individual users is performed by REGISTRARS •Registrars are entrepreneurs and compete Main principles of registration ICANN – top authority •Internet corporation for assigned names and numbers •responsible for managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) •ICANN is also responsible for accrediting the domain name registrars Domain speculations And abusive registrations The ultimate consequence of priority and singularity principles •Competition for privileged domain names •Fastest user wins the race •Creates space for abusive domain name registrations •Cybersquatting •Typosquatting •Domain Kiting •Domain Hijacking Legal concept of a domain name Legal definition of a domain name •Property (?) •Contract (?) •Legal institute sui generis (?) • •Practical meaning •Can you sell a domain name? •Can we apply the fundamental right of property? •Is there any “absolute right” for a domain name? •Can you inherit a domain name? • Domain name as a contractual relationship? Domain name as a Property ? International perspective •(US, UK,) •Domain names are creatures of contract Discussion – they are also intangible property with limitations (UK, US) •Germany •Not a „thing“ but „contract“ (vertraglich Anspruch) •It is a part of property/has value (Vermögenswert) •Protected by trademark law (globally) in certain cases •Discussion – •Should the concept be reviewed Who controls the DNS? • Internet governance • http://www.h3dwallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Anonymous_mask.jpg http://www.fcpablog.com/storage/united-nations-logo.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1372682757476 http://archive.computerhistory.org/resources/still-image/Arpanet/Arpanet.geographic_map_September_1 973.102618830.lg.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/NSFNET-backbone-56K.png Proprietory or open format ? •The first proprietory format was unsuccessfull •Telecommunications •Cable TVs •Banks(SWIFT) •Intranet •LAN • 1982 •TCP/IP – •Vyvinul Stanford a UCL •Army – the first user •After that IBM, AT&T and DEC 1988 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Internet_Assigned_Numbers_Authority_(logo).png •Established by US government •Administers IP adresses and domains •LDNS“ Office • 1991 Browser http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/WorldWideWeb_FSF_GNU.png ISOC 1992 •Non-profit organization •Standards coodination •Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), •Internet Architecture Board (IAB), •Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG), •Internet Research Task Force (IRTF). Internet Society logo and wordmark.png 1998 http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQuqRJZt2TAEE2Ox4qwKHbkuJmiuH_CI69aVGcRc-DvhWlvzqxWcw •Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers •From „single stakeholder“ to „multi-stakeholder“ ICANN Výřez obrazovky After 2016 •The contract between USA and ICANN runs out •Either – completion of multi-stakeholder model •Or – return under US government ICANN – top authority •Internet corporation for assigned names and numbers •responsible for managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) •ICANN is also responsible for accrediting the domain name registrars Výřez obrazovky https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/iana-stewardship-transition-proposal-10mar16-en.pdf Výřez obrazovky ICANN – top authority •Internet corporation for assigned names and numbers •responsible for managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) •ICANN is also responsible for accrediting the domain name registrars How to get a new TLD? Výřez obrazovky HOW many TLD are there now? •CCA 1400 •https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Internet_top-level_domains • Výřez obrazovky What do they have in common? What is harmonized? •Trademark protection •Alternative dispute resolution •Applies to new TLD •LTD prior to such Alternative dispute resolution The harmonized solution Reasons •Increased volumes of squatting cases •Problems with international element •Insufficient national regulation •Low experience of judges with cybersquatting and IP law in general Alternative resolution - principle •Arbitration clause in the terms and conditions of registrations •Third parties have the right (not duty) to file a complaint at a selected arbitration institution •Arbitration clauses are contained in the majority of domain names • C:\Users\Loutocký\Desktop\icann.jpg 0 +3 +1 +20 +5 +14 +3 +10 56 days UDRP UDRP ? Cumulative condition Another problem •Defensive registrations •215,835 .xxx domains. 132,859 are, adult-related sites, while 82,976 are merely defensive registrations Why Taylor Swift is buying adult web domains (fortune.com) Výřez obrazovky Výřez obrazovky .porn as a business model? •COSTS •1 million dollars •INCOME •150 dollars per registration per 5 years •1 000 000 / 150 •All you need is 6 000 Celebrities and companies who make „smart business move“ Trends to help trademark and personal rights •RESERVED NAMES •SUNRISE PERIODS •UDRP procedure •RRP procedure • RESERVED NAMES •https://www.icann.org/sites/default/files/packages/reserved-names/ReservedNames.xml • Výřez obrazovky Trademark Clearinghouse Výřez obrazovky SUNRISE PERIODS Výřez obrazovky Domain disputes How to be legally protected from squatters? •Competition law •Trademark law •Geographical indications •Commercial name (firma) •Right for privacy UNFAIR COMPETITION • §2976 – • "conduct in economic competition •conflicts with the accepted practices of competition • may be detrimental to other competitors or customers. • •Unfair competition is prohibited. UNFAIR COMPETITION • •misleading marking of goods and services •svycarskehodinky.cz, gooogle.com, vikipedia.org •parasitic use of the reputation of another competitor's enterprise, products or services Domain names and right for privacy and personality rights •UDHR Article 12 •No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. •Charter of human rights – Article 10(1) ▫ Everyone has the right to demand that his human dignity, personal honor, and good reputation be respected, and that his name be protected. • Possible violations of personal rights •Paroubeknamars.cz •bushsucks.com •Ihategates.com (inactive) • •Juliaroberts.com •Britneyspears.com • Protection of company names - § 423 Civil code •FIRMA •FIRMA is potected by unfair commercial rules Trademark •Exclusive right to use the trademark in connection with goods and services • • Example •Squatter registers a domain sony.cz and offers it for sale ▫Can these companies rely on the protection on the company name claims? –Sony Music Entertainment Czech Republic s.r.o. –Sony Music Entertainment Czech Republic s.r.o. –SONY Czech, spol. s r.o. –Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications International AB Branch Office Czech Republic, Example •Squatter registers the domain lego.cz •He does not use this domain and offers it for sale for 200 000 Kč • •Can the trademark owner claim violation of his rights? •Can the trademark owner claim transfer of the domain name? •What if the owner is based in denmark, administrator is Czech and squatter Russian? lego_computer_guy.jpg .eu domain •Established „by law“ •733/2002/EC •To accelerate e-commerce •Promote common market •Accelerate benefits of information society • Structure of the .eu domain REGISTRY (sponsor) •Administers the .eu domain •EURid •Non profit company •Established under Belgian law • https://webexpo.net/files/partners/prague2013/products/eurid.jpg Registrars •Independent entities •Have to be accredited by the registry •Do not have to be European •Currently cca 900 accredited registrars USERS - Eligibility criteria (Art 3) Policy rules (874/2004) •Requirements for domain name applications •Requirements for registrars •Requirements for registrar accreditation •Languages •Registration procedures Language •For any communication by the Registry that affects the rights of a party in conjunction with a registration, such as the grant, transfer, cancellation or revocation of a domain, the Registry shall ensure that these communications are possible in all official languages. Protection of rights in .eu domain Protection of rights Sunrise periods •1st period •only registered national and Community trademarks, geographical indications, public authorities •2nd period •names that can be registered in the first part as well as names based on all other prior rights •3rd period – all other users Alternative dispute resolution 2 POSSIBLE ADR PROCEDURES Rightholder vs. User •Compulsory for the holder of a domain name and the Registry. •Not for the Rightholder •Question of “speculative or abusive registration” • Speculative or abusive registration Is Legitimate interest •(a) the holder has used the name for the offering of goods or services •(b) the holder has been commonly known by the name, • even in the absence of a right recognised by law •(c) the holder is making a legitimate and non-commercial or fair use of the domain name, • without intent to mislead consumers •or harm the reputation of a name on which a right is recognised or established by national and/or Community law. Bad faith •(a) registered primarily for the purpose of selling, renting, or transferring to the holder of a protected name • (b) prevent the holder from reflecting this name in a corresponding domain name, • provided that: • (i) a pattern of such conduct by the registrant can be demonstrated; • (ii) the domain name has not been used in a relevant way for at least two years •(c) primarily for the purpose of disrupting the professional activities of a competitor; or •(d) intentionally used to attract Internet users, for commercial gain, by creating a likelihood of confusion •(e) the domain name registered is a personal name for which no demonstrable link exists Comparison ADR and UDRP •UDRP •1.Confusing similirarity •2. No legitimate interest •3. Bad faith • •ADR •1. Confusing Similarity •2 No legitimate interest • •or • •1 Confusing Similarity •2 Bad Faith •