SIIA Calls for More Trademark and Copyright Protections for New Domain Names
In comments filed with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) last week, SIIA called for more intellectual property (IP) safeguards before any new generic top level domain (gTLD) applications are approved. Under the new program, trademark and copyright owners will be forced to expend significant resources and time to protect their intellectual property on thousands of new domains. Specifically, SIIA continues to stress the need for registries (the gTLD applicants) that are approved by ICANN put in place greater safeguards to protect against piracy and counterfeiting — this is especially true for domain names that are targeted toward software and information products and brands. Establishment of a clear process for complaints and systems for ensuring that domain information is accurate and publically available are the minimum levels of protection that rights holders deserve under this new program. Read more on SIIA’s Digital Discourse Blog.

SIIA Continues on China’s Trade Practices at Issue at USTR
Last week, USITO filed comments with the United States Information Technology Office (USITO) in China, in the annual review of China’s compliance with its accession commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO). As a follow-up, SIIA Public Policy VP Mark MacCarthy will be testifying on behalf of SIIA and USITO at the USTR’s hearing on these issues on October 3rd, focusing on the issues of intellectual property enforcement, utility model patents, services invention remuneration and Internet regulation. His oral testimony is here.

IP News

Holder Announces Grant Winners in Effort to Prosecute Intellectual Property Theft (The Baltimore Sun)
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced $2.4 million in grants to 13 jurisdictions that are helping to fight intellectual property theft.

Japanese Music Pirates Face Jail, Big Fines (paidContent)
In contrast with the emerging approach in other countries, new laws in Japan make uploading and downloading illegal content a criminal rather than civil offense, punishable by large fines and up to two years in prison.

Google’s Motorola Drops ITC Patent Infringement Complaint Against Apple (International Business Times)
Google’s Motorola unit suddenly and unexpectedly withdrew a complaint it recently filed with the ITC against Apple, asking the ITC to ban U.S. imports of all current and recent iPhone, iPad and Mac Computer models.

MPAA Chief Says SOPA, PIPA ‘Are Dead,’ But ISP Warning Scheme Lives On (Wired)
Former Sen. Christopher Dodd, now chairman of the MPAA, said SOPA and PIPA are not going to be floated again in Congress, but the nation’s major internet service providers are cooperating to implement mitigation measures to fight piracy.