Internet governance and threats to the European agri-food industry: potential losses linked to granting of the .wine and .vino domain names
13.11.2014
Question for written answer E-009234-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Mara Bizzotto (NI)
Governing the Internet and preventing its improper use are the latest issues to be examined in the struggle to protect the ‘made in Italy’ brand from imitations and to preserve quality in Europe. The entire agri‐food industry and the quality assurance scheme which revolves around designations of origin are still being compromised by the use of generic domain names and the indiscriminate awarding of these to private individuals. Citizens across Europe have petitioned EU institutions time and again to work with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (the organisation which manages names, numbers and addresses on the Internet) in order to find a definitive solution to protect the interests of producers and consumers, by preventing improper use of domain names such as .wine and .vino.
Given the important role played by designations of origin in protecting heritage rich in tradition, knowledge and endeavour, can the Commission please:
- 1.explain what actions have been taken to protect European wine producers and all other members of the agri‐food industry at risk from improper use of Internet domain names?
- 2.provide an update on its negotiations with ICANN?
- 3.outline its negotiating strategy and the principles behind it?