ICANN Consults on Domain Protections for International Bodies

ICANN wants input on policy recommendations for protecting domain name acronyms used by international governmental (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (INGOs). IGOs want a system that would allow them to protect and challenge misuse of their identifiers (see 1810240001). Domain names protected by international treaties rather than trademark law, such as those for the World Health Organization or UN, can't use ICANN mechanisms such as the uniform dispute resolution policy. The Generic Names Supporting Organization Council just approved recommendations for addressing the problem, ICANN noted Friday. They include: (1) No substantive changes to existing rights protection mechanisms for INGOs. (2) No specific new dispute resolution procedures for IGOs. (3) Clarified policy guidance for IGOs filing complaints under the existing process. Comments are due Aug. 20.