Domain names

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The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7497 p437
12 April 2008

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Letters

• White paper
• Community pharmacy
• Domain names
• Minor ailment scheme
• Electronic prescriptions
• Hospital pharmacy
• Procurement
• Euthanasia
• Council election
• Health and safety
• The Society (2)

Letters to the Editor

Domain names

Reply from Jeremy Holmes, Chief Executive and Registrar, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Rival bought domains with pharmacy name

From Mr A. K. Jhalley, MRPharmS

As an independent pharmacy contractor, I intended to advertise my services on the internet through creating my own website. On trying to purchase a suitable domain name, I found, to my astonishment, that a local contractor had purchased six domain names with the name of my pharmacy.

Is it unethical to purchase domain names of local contractors in an attempt to prevent them from opening up their own website?

Ashok Jhalley
Morecambe Bay Chemist,
Morecambe Bay,
Lancashire

JEREMY HOLMES, Chief Executive and Registrar, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, replies:

Disputes regarding internet domain names can be resolved in a number of ways. For instance, the aggrieved party may decide to contact the legal owner of the domain name in an attempt to resolve the dispute by way of a negotiated settlement. Alternatively, an individual may consider legal action or the use of domain name arbitration proceedings.

Nominet and ICANN, for example, both operate domain name dispute resolution services. Information about these organisations is available on the web.

The Society is of the view that the registration of domain names in the circumstances outlined does not breach guidance in “Medicines, ethics and practice — a guide for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians”.

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