This newsletter was released by the Internet Commerce Association today.
Please read the Newsletter, become a member of the ICA if you are not already.
Write your Senator.
Do it today:
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Internet Commerce Association continues to take the lead in fighting the Snowe bill (S. 2661). ComputerWorld quoted Philip Corwin, ICA counsel, extensively in this article. Mr. Corwin voiced our objections to the bill while stating that ICA supports legislation reining in phishing problem and other criminal misuses of domain names. CADNA, our opponents on this issue, “dismissed the ICA’s objections as an attempt by the trade group to give it cover for casting the legislation in an unfavorable light”. CADNA goes on to say of ICA, “I think it’s very difficult for any organization to try and oppose a consumer protection bill, I’m not surprised if they’re trying to characterize it as a trademark bill.” You can see how they will position any senator opposing this terrible bill as opposing efforts to stop phishing.
However, even CADNA admits that this bill is really about trademark protection and cybersquatting in the following statements quoted by ComputerWorld “cybersquatting is costing legitimate brand owners more than $1 billion annually on a worldwide basis, in the form of diverted sales and enforcement expenses stemming from domain name disputes.” and “ICANN’s dispute resolution process doesn’t impose damages upon cybersquatters. Instead, he said, the UDRP simply requires them to relinquish domain names found not to belong to them, after a process that can cost the complainant about $5,000 per domain name.”
ICA is actively working in Washington on your behalf. Philip Corwin, our counsel, is educating senators and their staff to the real content of this bill, building coalition of other entities and groups opposed to this bill and getting our story published in the press. However, we need more help from domainers who care about this industry. More funding and a larger membership would enable us to fight this battle to the end. I encourage you to join ICA; be part of the solution. Members can donate to help us finance this bill.
Write your senator
If you are a US resident, now is the time to write a letter to your senator especially if your senator is on the Commerce Committee. The members of the Commerce Committee and the appropriate Interstate Commerce Subcommittee are listed in an article on how to write an effective letter on the Snowe bill at InternetCommerce.org.
ICA Accepted into ICANN Commercial and Business Users Constituency (BC)
We announced our application earlier and that we had been conditionally accepted. We offered a small change to the conditions of our membership in the BC at the ICANN meeting in New Delhi. I am happy to report that the BC accepted our offer. Domain name investors and developers now have a voice and a vote in ICANN policy development through ICA. Business owner involved in internet commerce are still able to join the BC on their own and ICA encourages you to participate in ICANN through the BC.
Donate Domain Names to ICA
In the Moniker/TRAFFIC West auction last month more than $13,000 was raised for ICA. Nat Cohen donated RVJ.com which sold for $8,000. An Australian hat (promotional item for TRAFFIC Down Under) was donated by Michael Gilmour and sold to Page Howe for $5,000. Thank you to all involved and thanks to others who donated domains to ICA.
ICA is seeking donations for the Moniker/TRAFFIC East auction now. Donating valuable domain names is a great way to support our association. Please reply ASAP if you have domains to donate.
Other Donations
Elliot Silver is offering free banner advertisements on his blog for the first five companies that join ICA at Professional Membership level or higher. Contact Elliot after you have joined to receive the free ad placement. Thank you Elliot.
Michael Collins
Internet Commerce Association
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