The Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse (CADNA) is holding an event in Washington DC Friday to bring the proposed Utah trademark law that we wrote about a month ago to a federal level, or Snow Bill 2.

If you look at the inviation and agenda of this meeting you will see that CADNA is going to be pushing hard to get the Utah bill enacted as a precursor to ACPA amendments that define cybersquatting in a way that encompasses many domainer activities, substantially increase civil money penalties, and introduce criminal penalties.

It appears CADNA is trying to get hearings in Congress to build a record that cybersquatting is costing trademark owners billions, and pass laws that will associate domain parking with infringement.

Such legislation, if enacted, would likely restrict domain industry monetization models, heighten litigation risk, and reduce portfolio values.

As we discussed the other day, domainers will have NO representation at this meeting and no one to lobby on behalf of domainers in either the Utah house where this bill is currently pending or at the federal level where CADNA is heading.

Here is the Text of CADNA invitation letter:

“”"”"The forum features Utah State Senator Stephen Urquhart, who will present his E-Commerce Integrity Act and explain its impact on federal legislation.  Additionally, a number of policy experts and Congressional staff will discuss ICANN and ACPA related policy issues. These issues are a part of understanding the unnecessary unruliness in the domain name space, which is costing businesses over $1 Billion per year.

Online brand issues are off to a quick start in 2010. Senator Urquhart’s Utah E-Commerce Integrity Act already is under consideration and if passed may be a harbinger of changes to the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) at the federal level.

Don’t miss Senator Urquhart, policy experts, and US congressional staff as they present their views on how 2010 is shaping up.

Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Stephen Urquhart (R-UT 29th District), Chairman Utah State Senate Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee
Additional Speakers:
Curtis LeGeyt, Counsel to Chairman Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee
Chan Lieu, Senior Professional Staff Member, Chairman Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Additional speakers will be named as they are confirmed

Agenda:

Panel I: After the AOC: Congress and ICANN Accountability

Policy experts and US Congressional staff discuss reactions to the Affirmation of Commitments (AOC) and expectations for ICANN’s future.
Panel II: ACPA Reform in 2010? The Utah E-Commerce Integrity Act and Future Federal Prospects

The Utah State legislature later this month begins formal consideration of a legislative proposal sponsored by Senator Stephen Urquhart that may strengthen intellectual property protection in Utah and may act as a harbinger of federal action later this year.”"”"

The Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse (CADNA) announced today that Goldman, Sachs & Co. and New York Life Insurance Company are its newest members.

CADNA also announced that their membership increased 80% in 2008.

“”"”This is clear evidence that more businesses recognize the need to speak out about domain name abuse, including cybersquatting, phishing, and domain name tasting. With the support of its member companies, CADNA is eager to address domain name abuses in 2009.”"”

“”"”A major concern is that, based on conservative projections, the three-year cost to business of registering new domains in the proposed new TLDs to prevent loophole exploitations and combat significant harm caused by fraudsters could be more than $1,500,000,000.

If there was any doubt as to CADNA goals for 2009 this statement should clarify things:

“”"”"With a new government taking office in January, CADNA has begun increasing its efforts to bring attention to these problems and feels confident that, under the leadership of President-elect Obama and the 111th Congress, these concerns will be addressed as part of the country’s efforts to maintain leadership in areas related to technology and to protect its economy and national security. “”"”"

“”"”The Coalition is confident that its plans will allow CADNA to continue to positively redefine the domain name space.”"”

Interesting, CADNA wants to redefine the “domain name space”.

Certainly not good news for domain holders.

We know they want to redefine the space as being a place for “cybersquatting, phishing, and domain name tasting, continuing on their move for a Snowe Bill 2 and criminalizing certain actions which are now purely civil matters.

When you look at ICA’s annual statement and compare it to this announcement from CADNA, you will soon see how far behind domainers are from this group of trademark holders, in organization and funding.