Internet and protection of geographical indications Milan, April 2015 Maciej Tomaszewski Policy Officer DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology: European Commission
Westphalian model of sovereignty 2 direfc Governments are ultimately responsible for the protection of rule of law within their territory and make arrangements for cross-border implications Main actors in international relations
Development and expansion of the Internet 3 Borderless Internet versus territorial national legal regimes Technical functioning of the Internet is ensured by private sector (infrastructure/standards/numbering) Technical norms developed by private sector may have public interest implications
Role of private/public stakeholders 4 direfc Private-sector leadership in the construction and day-to-day management Legitimate expectation from users that governments will guarantee public interest/rule of law and that offline rights and obligations extend online as well The role of governments should focus on issues of public policy
Role of private/public stakeholders 5 direfc The EU is actively involved in Internet Governance All recent policy documents underline importance of multistakeholder model of Internet Governance and key roles of each group of stakeholders
Dot.wine / dot.vin 6 direfc New gTLD programme is currently being introduced This development introduces challenges related to different legal issues. This includes the protection of Geographical Indications
Dot.wine / dot.vin 7 direfc The Commission, in cooperation with EU Member States and EU wine organisations, has been actively pursuing through the GAC a set of safeguards The purpose is to avoid consumer deception and misappropriation risks, and to protect European Union and national laws
Dot.wine / dot.vin 8 direfc Direct involvement: through informal discussions and Cooperative Engagement Process Also support for direct negotiations between rights holders of GI and the applicants of dot.wine and dot.vin
Dot.wine / dot.vin 9 direfc The Commission currently awaits the outcome of these negotiations among interested parties in the private sector before considering further actions
10 Maciej Tomaszewski Internet Governance Task Force DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology