WIPO targets cyperspace squatters
The World Intellectual Property Organisation has signalled its intention to step up action against 'cypersquatters' by investigating ways of stopping them register internet addresses using names to which they have no legitimate claim. Stamping out the bad faith registration of domain names will further the development of a stable environment for e-commerce by safeguarding the rights of owners whose names are not protected by trademark, WIPO claimed. WIPO has been previously been successful in pushing cybersquatters off websites protected by trademark through the creation of an arbitration service. Now the organisation intends to target bad faith registrations of names not based on trademarks, including the personal names of famous people, names of international organisations, trade names and geographical indications. WIPO intends to come up with proposals through a widespread consultation process, similar to the one used to establish the uniform dispute resolution policy for names protected by trademark. Francis Gurry, WIPO assistant director general, said the organisation was committed to promoting a reliable environment in cyberspace, and that the results of this process will be available in the first half of 2001.