[comments-wgb] Sunrise plus twenty

[Frances Jagla <frances.jagla@abbott.com>]

On behalf of Abbott Laboratories, I want to thank you for the opportunity to
comment on the issues surrounding the addition of new top-level domains
(TLD's).  Abbott Laboratories supports INTA's "Sunrise Plus Twenty" proposal
or similar mechanisms which are designed to minimize the use of new TLD's to
infringe upon trademark rights.  While some would argue that the speculation
of trademarks in cyberspace is a legal and legitimate activity, Abbott
Laboratories disagrees.  Accordingly, we think the restriction in the
"Sunrise Plus Twenty" proposal to restrict "pre-registration" activities to
distinctive marks which have been registered in a national trademark office
for at least one year prior to the beginning of the "Sunrise Period" is a
fair and reasonable one.  Registered trademarks deserve protection prior to
the introduction of new TLD's, and Abbott Laboratories applauds the efforts
to make this needed protection a reality.

Frances M. Jagla
Senior Counsel
Abbott Laboratories
AP6D-D377-2
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois  60064
phone:  847-937-5121
fax:  847-938-2623
e-mail:  frances.jagla@abbott.com