FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Image Online Design Files Suit Against CORE SAN LUIS OBISPO, November 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Image Online Design, Inc., "The .Web Internet Domain Registry(tm)" <www.webtld.com>, the longest standing prospective registry for a new Top Level Domain, today announced that it has filed suit against the Internet Council of Registrars (CORE) in United States District Court. The complaint alleges that CORE, despite knowing that IODesign had been using the .WEB(tm) mark for its own domain registry services since 1996, submitted an application for the same mark to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The complaint also alleges that CORE has been using IODesign's .WEB(tm) mark for their own domain registry services, misleading consumers as to the origin of these services. Together, the complaint alleges that these actions constitute violations of Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act and unfair competition under California law. In response, IODesign is seeking an injunction, cancellation of CORE's U.S. trademark application, and compensatory, enhanced and punitive damages. This is the first escalation in the so-called "domain name wars" since the U.S. Government first intervened back in the summer of 1997. The disputes began when a handful of small, industry pioneers were attacked by supporters of the IAHC plan. Both sides ceased hostilities when the U.S. Government started their public process. But now, amid charges of process violations and other blatant abuses, the courts are once again becoming the venue of choice. "It's really a shame that we've had to resort to this" said John Frangie, CEO of IODesign. "We have been working in good faith to resolve these ongoing disputes, but we are now seeing legal action as the only way to protect the assets that IODesign has pioneered. We'll probably see more of these actions before all is said and done." Despite today's announcement, IODesign remains encouraged with the latest recommendations of Working Group C of the DNSO for an immediate expansion of the name space. IODesign fully expects its .WEB(tm) Registry to be among the first new Top Level Domains recognized by ICANN. Last week, IODesign went on record by objecting to the more egregious actions of the ICANN board, including comments from Mike Roberts that competitive TLDs will not be considered. IODesign also objected to ICANN's many process violations, including those that have allowed it to adopt policies in direct contradiction to the public comments received. Many of these concerns were echoed this week by the U.S. Small Business Administration <http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/comments/icann99_1027.html>. IODesign has been involved in the debate since 1995, the year before the IANA gave them the go-ahead for the .WEB(tm) TLD. Subsequently, IODesign has participated in good faith through the various community based efforts to expand the name space, including the IAHC process, and the U.S. Government's RFC, Green and White Paper processes. CONTACT: John Frangie www.iodesign.com 805-543-4716 SOURCE: Fenello.com, Inc. www.fenello.com 770-392-9480
