---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ICANN News Alert <communications@icann.org> Date: Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 1:45 PM Subject: ICANN News Alert -- Uniform Rapid Suspension System for New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Service Providers for Uniform Rapid Suspension To: carlton.samuels@gmail.com ** [image: ICANN] <http://www.icann.org/> News Alert http://www.icann.org/en/news/announcements/announcement-8-24sep12-en.htm ------------------------------ Uniform Rapid Suspension System for New gTLDs: ICANN Seeks Service Providers for Uniform Rapid Suspension Uniform Rapid Suspension or "URS" Service Providers 24 September 2012 ICANN is issuing today a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) Service Providers<http://www.icann.org/en/news/rfps/urs-24sep12-en.pdf>[PDF, 112 KB]. The URS is one of the mechanisms to address trademark protection concerns in the New gTLD Program. The URS is expected to provide trademark holders with a new, cost effective remedy in addition to those available under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) and applicable law. The primary purpose of the URS is to provide for rapid suspension of domain names on trademark infringement cases in which there is no genuine contestable issue as to the infringement and abuse that has taken place. Candidates for operating the URS are expected to meet the requirements outlined in the RFI, which include, for example, a demonstrated understanding of the issues concerning global intellectual property rights and the Internet, proceedings in an expedited online context, dispute resolutions, UDRP proceedings, and serving as globally diverse and highly qualified neutral panelist. ICANN seeks candidates with a proven ability to manage and support processes in multiple languages, in addition to fulfillment of the technical requirements. RFI activities schedule at a glance: Request for information issued by ICANN 24 September 2012 Respondents' Q&A – Teleconference On or about 23 October 2012 Written responses due 20 November 2012 (23:59 UTC) Projected URS providers published Not later than 28 February 2013 The deadline for responses is 20 November 2012 at 23:59 UTC. Responses should be submitted to: urs-eoi@icann.org.