Dear Mason:

 

I have a few questions with respect to fake renewal notices on behalf of the IPC, and I am hopeful you will be able to provide the Council with an update on the matter at your convenience.

 

By way of background, here is what the Council’s pending projects list most recently provided:

 

At its meeting in July, the GNSO Council considered the report of the Fake Renewal Notices DT (see http://gnso.icann.org/issues/frn/fake-renewal-notices-updated-report-20jun12-en.pdf). On the recommendation of the RrSG, a number of alternative approaches are now being pursued to address this issue, including working with ICANN Compliance, reaching out to the relevant local authorities and considering whether it would be appropriate to address this as part of the RAA negotiations. Mason Cole provided a status update by email in February (see http://gnso.icann.org/mailing-lists/archives/council/msg14235.html). The Council will consider at its next meeting whether to close this project.

 

And your latest update was as follows:

 

You may recall that the council investigated a PDP but ultimately decided to reserve resources for such a PDP for other work, since the matter could be dealt with more effectively by registrars communicating to relevant law enforcement (particularly in North America).  Since that time I have been collecting from registrars examples of fake renewal notices, which I will provide to the attorney that works with our SG -- she will help us submit them to the FTC in the US and other relevant law enforcement and consumer protection agencies. 

 

I realize it's been a while since the council has been updated on this, but I want to make sure we have as complete a case as possible when we approach the authorities.  I anticipate doing so shortly and will of course update the council when that step is complete.

 

My question is whether the RrSG was able to collect examples for fake renewal notices and provide them to law enforcement agencies, as well as pursue additional efforts on the matter.  Was there any report delivered on these efforts?  And what specifically has been done to address fake renewal notices or deceptive advertising practices from resellers?

 

We look forward to receiving an update from you on these inquiries.

 

Thank you,

 

Brian

 

Brian J. Winterfeldt
Head of Internet Practice
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
2900 K Street NW, North Tower - Suite 200 / Washington, DC 20007-5118
p / (202) 625-3562 f / (202) 339-8244
brian.winterfeldt@kattenlaw.com / www.kattenlaw.com

 

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