In an era where the internet has become central to our lives, the need for a free and open digital space has become essential. The traditional internet, governed by ICANN, offers us a wide range of services but also imposes certain restrictions. This is why tomi was founded – an alternative internet network that revolutionizes the concept of domain ownership.
tomi empowers its users to create domains, which are subsequently sold at public auctions to the highest bidders. All this is done while maintaining a dynamic structure that lasts for an entire year.
Since tomi operates as a decentralized domain system in a digital universe parallel to the traditional internet, it is not subject to the regulatory system created by ICANN that governs the existing internet. As a result, any procedures, regulations, terms of use, user agreements, or other pseudo-regulatory instructions made by ICANN for the traditional internet do not apply to the tomiNet (although the tomiDAO can establish its own regulations for the tomiNet).
Regarding intellectual property and trademark laws, according to the laws of certain significant jurisdictions we examined, domain names are classified as intangible assets, rather than intellectual property, and there are no inherent intellectual property (IP) or trademark rights over domain addresses.
It is important to distinguish between owning a domain name and its usage. For example, creating the perception that a website is associated or somehow related to a trademarked brand can infringe upon the brand’s trademark. However, if a person wishes to purchase apple.com in good faith and open a fruit store specializing in apples, they are entitled to do so.
We note that the bidding period is ongoing, and trademarked brands have an equal opportunity to mint or place high bids to acquire their domains.
This concept is revolutionary as it encourages innovation and ensures that the internet remains an open and accessible resource, reinforcing tomi’s status as an alternative and independent network. It presents both challenges and opportunities for those interested in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
We understand that this may be a challenging concept to grasp as it represents a new understanding of the internet, disrupting the current paradigm and ushering us into the new era of the Web3 world.
In recognition of this, we will publish a series of articles on the blog and Medium that will allow tomiNet users to expand and deepen their knowledge on this topic and explore new opportunities in the age of Web3. Each article will aim to break down the intricacies of this new digital landscape and provide insight on how to navigate this new terrain.
This article does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice on the laws applicable to your jurisdiction, please consult with a certified legal professional.
