gTLD application process now open *

Global - February 3 2012
On 12 January 2012 the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers officially opened the application process for its New Generic Top-Level Domain programme.

Co-authors: Susan E. Billheimer , Lianne Bulger .

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Sweeping changes proposed in European data protection law *

European Union - January 26 2012
On 25 January 2012, the European Commission published a proposal for a Data Protection Regulation (the “Proposed Regulation”) that is intended to replace the current regulatory framework in Europe.

Co-authors: Ann J. LaFrance .

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Trademark protection alert: .XXX domain sunrise launch runs from September 7, 2011 to October 28, 2011 *

Global - September 7 2011
The .XXX ("Dot Triple X") domain registration sunrise period begins September 7, 2011 and runs through October 28, 2011.

Co-authors: Chris McLeod, Susan E. Billheimer , Lianne Bulger , Florian Traub, Christopher D. Mays.

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Launch of the new generic top-level domain names *

Global - July 13 2011
On 20 June 2011, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) – which manages the domain name system – approved the launch of a procedure for introducing new generic top-level domain name extensions (gTLDs)

Co-authors: Susan E. Billheimer , Lianne Bulger .

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Fed to impose minimum national standards on gift cards *

USA - December 8 2009
Online, retail and other businesses that issue or sell prepaid products such as gift certificates or gift cards should be aware of recent proposed rules intended to provide greater consumer protection.

Co-authors: Beth Seals, James J. Barresi, David C. Kenny, Nicholas Unkovic.

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