Domain registry – Top Level Design, recently announced that generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) ‘.gay’, is now available to all LGBTQ+ people, groups and corporate allies around the world. The ‘.gay’ domain was opened first to reservations by TMCH (trademark clearing house) holders, trademark holders, etc. for a specific period before being opened to all. These domains aim to increase representation of the LGBTQ+ communities in the online sphere. All registrants are subject to the “.gay Rights Protections” policy, which discourages homophobic, anti-LGBTQ+ usage and provides remedies if .gay domain is used to malign or harm LGBTQ+ individuals or groups. Also, 20 percent of all new registration revenue will be donated to benefit LGBTQ+ non-profit groups.

Source: https://www.toplevel.design/gay

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs released a draft of “Central Consumer Protection Authority (Prevention of the Misleading Advertisements and Necessary Due Diligence of Endorsement of Advertisements) Guidelines, 2020” (available here). Views/comments/suggestions can be submitted till October 1, 2020 (see: https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/sites/default/files/file-uploads/latestnews/Date_Extend.pdf).

A GI (Geographical Indication) infringement suit has been filed before the District Court of Phek, Nagaland against Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) and designer Ritu Beri. The suit was filed by Chakhesang Women Welfare Society (CWWS) for unauthorizedly showcasing Chakhesang shawls at the Suraj Kund Mela in February, 2020. The Court has granted one month’s time to Beri and TRIFED to file their written statements.

Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/nagaland-news/naga-womens-body-files-civil-suit-against-designer-ritu-beri-trifed-for-gi-tag-infringement-503051?infinitescroll=1

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched an immersive online exhibition using the 360-degree scanning technology to foster a more-comprehensive understanding of the relationship between IP policy and AI and the questions facing policymakers.

The exhibition focuses on examples of use of AI in art, music, technology and entertainment. The exhibits include art created by humanoid robotic artist Ai-Da, a song that won an international AI Song Contest and a game that helps a neural network recognize doodles.

The exhibition can be accessed at – https://wipo360.azurewebsites.net/.

The Public Interest Registry (PIR), the registry for .org domain names, has developed an Appeals Process for suspensions of domain names under its Anti-Abuse Policy. This is part of PIR’s mission to serve as an exemplary registry and as a model for registry operator behaviour. The relevant details about the appeal process can be found at – https://thenew.org/org-people/about-pir/resources/anti-abuse-policy-appeals-process/.