As this email relates to Australia I have reposted it from a US list.

Regards
Patrick Corliss

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Sondow <msondow&#167;ICIIU.ORG>
To: <DOMAIN-POLICY&#167;LISTS.INTERNIC.NET>
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2000 2:14 PM
Subject: Paul Twomey and the GAC Are At It Again

http://www.dcita.gov.au/cgi-bin/trap.pl?path=5077

Call for WIPO to wipe out cybersquatters

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts,
Senator Richard Alston, today announced that the Australian Government has
called on the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to develop
guidelines and policies to prevent cybersquatting.

Cybersquatting is the abusive or bad faith registration of an internet
domain name that is similar to a name in which another person has
intellectual property rights, or some other legitimate claim.

'Australia is leading the world in issues of internet governance and policy
discussions.  Preventing cybersquatting will increase confidence in internet
infrastructure and e-commerce by protecting the established rights of
businesses
and individuals,' Senator Alston said.

A Government initiative in February led to the creation of a powerful
coalition of 19 national governments, public authorities and international
organisations which has pushed for the restriction of cybersquatting.

Senator Alston praised the work of Dr Paul Twomey, the Chief Executive
Officer of the National Office for the Information Economy, and convenor of
the landmark international meeting on cybersquatting held in Sydney in
February.

'It is important that nations work together to develop an integrated
international framework which serves the interests of the global internet
community,' Dr Twomey said.

Australia is requesting that WIPO develop voluntary guidelines and policies
to curb cybersquatting and to resolve related disputes.

In addition, WIPO is being asked to undertake further study and develop
recommendations relating to areas of continuing uncertainty with
cybersquatting such as non-trademarkable names including personal names,
International Nonproprietary Names for pharmaceutical substances, names of
international intergovernmental organisations, geographical indications, and
geographical terms.

'The Australian Government is confident that WIPO will take the appropriate
action swiftly,' Senator Alston said.

Australia's request has official endorsement from the following WIPO
members: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France and
the United States of America.