The European Commission, the highest executive body of the European Union, has prepared a draft document designed to provide additional protection against cybersquatting in the national domains of EU member states. We are talking about the protection of geographical names that have social and cultural significance, according to the Domain Name Wire. At present, the European Union already has protective measures in place in relation to geographical names associated with the production of agricultural products. And it is almost impossible for cybersquatters to register domain names related to, for example, champagnes, Parma ham or Gorgonzola cheese.
The new rules will extend this practice to geographical names associated with industrial and handicraft industries and handicrafts. This means that, for example, Murano glass, Solingen steel, Jablonec bijouterie and geographical names associated with them and many other goods will be protected. In addition, the draft document also provides for the creation of a special arbitration to resolve domain disputes relating specifically to geographical names in the national domains of the European Union countries.
