ICANN has hit the operators of the .pharmacy new gTLD with a breach notice for their failure to operate the gTLD âin a transparent manner consistent with general principles of openness and non-discrimination by establishing, publishing and adhering to clear registration policies, as required byâ their registry agreement.
ICANN also deemed the .pharmacy operator, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), was also non-compliant due to its âfailure to publish on its website a primary contact for handling inquiries related to malicious conduct in the TLD feedback.â ICANN has given NABP until 11 August to âcure these breachesâ or theyâll risk further sanctions, which could lead to termination of their right to operate the new gTLD.
The complaints came about following a complaint from Canada Wide Pharmacy, a Canadian online pharmacy who makes available medications to Americans at vastly reduced prices compared to the prices in America.
Canada Wide Pharmacy complained after they were refused a .pharmacy domain name and a Public Interest Commitment Dispute Resolution Procedure (PICDRP) Standing Panel found NABP to be in breach. The PICDRP Standing Panel voted 3-0 in favour of Canada Wide Pharmacy.
The result doesnât mean Canada Wide Pharmacy will get their domain name, but they have made life uncomfortable for NABP.