[nc-whois] FW: Comments of Thomson & Thomson
Title: Gerry Sikorski,
counsel for Thomson & Thomson, whom I have copied on this message, has asked
that I post to the list their comments on the bulk access provisions of the
interim report. As the comments indicate, Thomson & Thomson is a
subscriber to bulk access to Whois under the current agreements, and I
believe their perspective on the issues we will be discussing on tomorrow's
call is useful.
Steve
Metalitz
For nearly a century, Thomson & Thomson
has been the world leader in trademark and copyright services serving the
intellectual property research needs of leading law firms, Fortune 500 companies
and other businesses worldwide. Thomson & Thomson offers intellectual
property research products and services that have gained an unmatched reputation
for reliability, accuracy and comprehensiveness. Our online service Saegis is
recognized as the industry's leading online trademark research tool. We appreciate the fact that the formal comment period closed last week, but believe that the perspective of a current user of bulk access information may be helpful to the Task Force (See "INTERIM 4.0, Marketing use of WHOIS data; bulk access provisions"). Our use, and that of our subscribers, is clearly legitimate, critical to the maintenance and health of the nation's legal, commercial and intellectual property systems, and consistent with good public policy. Our users and our researchers use the WHOIS data exclusively for research purposes. We use it to deter cyber-squatting, and insure that current names and associated intellectual properties are not being confused, diminished or degraded, Its access is strictly controlled, and we undertake our operations in compliance with the bulk access agreements with, currently, five registrars. We strongly support insuring that bulk access is unfettered for legitimate uses, especially research users. We do not oppose the current marketing restrictions, their vigorous enforcement, or additional restrictions against marketing uses. We thank you, and all of those members who have devoted so much work to this worthy effort, for the opportunity to express our thoughts. |