role and responsibility of internet intermediaries in the field of trademarks federation of swiss...
TRANSCRIPT
Role and responsibility of internet intermediaries in the
field of trademarksFederation of Swiss Watch Industry FH
Geneva, 17th September 2012
Outline
1. Federation of the Swiss Watch industry
2. Trademarks infringements on the Internet
3. Major issues regarding trademarks on the Internet
4. Self regulation
5. Alternative dispute resolution
6. National and Regional legislations
7. International level
8. Conclusion
1. The Federation of the Swiss Watch industry
Swiss watch industry head organization
Not for profit, Trade association
around 500 members
Over 200 brands
Protection and development of the Swiss watch industry
Fight against counterfeiting
Headquarters of the FHin Bienne, Switzerland
2. Trademarks infringements on the Internet
Internet has changed the distribution channels and boosted global demand for counterfeits
Low cost visibility , global market, lack of entry barriers, "lawless" feeling, late recognition by politics, etc..
As a result: A more and more significant part of counterfeiting is being distributed through the Internet
2. A global issue. Example of a website (1)
Whois IP % Information related to '80.82.65.0 - 80.82.65.255'
inetnum: 80.82.65.0 - 80.82.65.255netname: NL-ECATELdescr: AS29073, Ecatel LTDcountry: NLadmin-c: EL25-RIPEtech-c: EL25-RIPEstatus: ASSIGNED PAmnt-by: ECATEL-MNTmnt-lower: ECATEL-MNTmnt-routes: ECATEL-MNTchanged: [email protected] 20100930source: RIPE
Whois DN Domain Name: COOL-WATCHES.COMRegistrar: BIZCN.COM, INC.Whois Server: whois.bizcn.comReferral URL: http://www.bizcn.comName Server: NS1.COOL-WATCHES.COMName Server: NS2.COOL-WATCHES.COMName Server: NS3.COOL-WATCHES.COMStatus: clientDeleteProhibitedStatus: clientTransferProhibitedUpdated Date: 09-jul-2010Creation Date: 15-nov-2003Expiration Date: 15-nov-2011
>>> Last update of whois database: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:56:59 UTC <<<
Details whois DN Queried whois.bizcn.com with "cool-watches.com"...
Domain name: cool-watches.com
Registrant Contact:Barry LyndonBarry Lyndon [email protected]+7.4951725684 fax: +7.4951725684Salisbury Road Star House. Room 1403-5Hong Kong Hong Kong 999077hk
www.replicawatch.com
whois
2. A global issue. Example of a website (2)
Whois IP % Information related to '80.82.65.0 - 80.82.65.255'
inetnum: 80.82.65.0 - 80.82.65.255netname: NL-ECATELdescr: AS29073, Ecatel LTDcountry: NLadmin-c: EL25-RIPEtech-c: EL25-RIPEstatus: ASSIGNED PAmnt-by: ECATEL-MNTmnt-lower: ECATEL-MNTmnt-routes: ECATEL-MNTchanged: [email protected] 20100930source: RIPE
Whois DN Domain Name: COOL-WATCHES.COMRegistrar: BIZCN.COM, INC.Whois Server: whois.bizcn.comReferral URL: http://www.bizcn.comName Server: NS1.COOL-WATCHES.COMName Server: NS2.COOL-WATCHES.COMName Server: NS3.COOL-WATCHES.COMStatus: clientDeleteProhibitedStatus: clientTransferProhibitedUpdated Date: 09-jul-2010Creation Date: 15-nov-2003Expiration Date: 15-nov-2011
>>> Last update of whois database: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:56:59 UTC <<<
Details whois DN Queried whois.bizcn.com with "cool-watches.com"...
Domain name: cool-watches.com
Registrant Contact:Barry LyndonBarry Lyndon [email protected]+7.4951725684 fax: +7.4951725684Salisbury Road Star House. Room 1403-5Hong Kong Hong Kong 999077hk
Host providerRegistrar
whois
Owner
2. A global issue. Example of a website (3)
www.replicawatch.comConsumer
Example on social media
Example on social media
Promotion of counterfeits by using social media
Social media hosted in the US / users subject to US law
The seller pretends to be in the Netherlands
In reality: products are sent from Thailand
3. Major issues regarding trademarks on the Internet
Territorial issue vs/ global and international issue
Smugglers know how to take advantage of global nature: at least 4 or more different countries are involved
How to tackle this problematic ?
How to balance interests of legitimate sellers, consumers, right owners in order to establish a « fairplay market » ?
Emergence of a global soft Law
4. Self regulation / informal agreements
Ex: Marketplaces, social medias...
If an agreement could be met with Right Owners on a minimal enforcement level and cooperation • Ex: eBay, Taobao, YouTube…
Clients/users: should accept the policy defined by the Platform when they register for a new account
Trademarks should generally be registered in the country of origin of the Platform (≠ infringer) or where the item is available for sale.
5. Alternative dispute resolution (1)
Should be accepted by parties and/or included in general provisions in a contractual context
Existing for domain names (WIPO arbitration)
Possible only because ICANN makes compulsory for the accredited registrars to implement the Arbitration rule in their general agreements for generic top level domains
A new challenge for the future generic extensions
5. Alternative dispute resolution (2)
6. National and Regional legislations
Necessary step to establish the base : a registered and valid trademark
Regional or Supranational entities may also edict Directives/ Regulations in order to obtain a minimal standard in Members States' legislation (enforcement, …).
7. International level
Different approaches are possible..
Some provocative ideas:
Extend the territoriality: idea of a “global” or worldwide trademark system, with no countries boundaries, but limited on the Internet (“6th continent”)
Extend the enforcement on the Internet: recognize a trademark infringement, as soon as the trademark is protected and information accessible in the country of origin of the trademark
8. Conclusion
All issues are complementary and should be considered
The fact that some major Internet intermediaries are predominant eases the emergence of a global soft law
Internet should overcome domestic and national barriers to enhance trademarks’ enforcement
Thank you!
Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH Rue d'Argent 62502 BienneTél. +41 (0)32 328 08 28Fax +41 (0)32 328 08 80
www.fhs.ch [email protected]