In their recent study performed by DNAttorney.com, Zak Muscovitch, a domain name lawyer and publisher of the report, has presented statistical information gathered from public record that helps to illustrate a skew in panelist assignment.

Muscovich says

“The National Arbitration Forum has provided years of service in trademark and domain name disputes. Greater transparency is required in order to explain the concentration of cases amongst certain panelists. ICANN should revisit the Rules and require that panel appointment is always random. Otherwise, there will be an apprehension of an unfair process amongst some observers and stakeholders who believe that the selection of the panellist is of paramount importance and has a substantial likelihood of affecting the outcome of cases. To increase discussion of these and other domain dispute issues, we have created a free sign-up to receive daily NAF Case Update so that you can receive daily notices of new NAF decisions.”

They have compiled statistics which we hope will provide the domain name dispute community with an idea of the approximate participation levels of all NAF Panelists.

Link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-domain-name-dispute-stats-reveal-concern-over-panelist-appointment-88825337.html

The National Arbitration Forum is updating its Supplemental Rules for the UDRP and other domain name disputes, effective January 1, 2006. For more information, read here: http://www.arb-forum.com/domains/NAFSupplementalRules.asp

Update – At first glance, changes include an increase in the supplemental filing fee from $250 to $400 (with a new proof of service requirement), a new $100 re-initiation fee, and increased filing fees. For 1-2 domain names, the new filing fee is $1300 (from $1150).

Two new decisions issued by the National Arbitration Forum:
CarnieWilson.com - Carnie Wilson v. Whois Privacy Protection Service, Inc. a/k/a Whois Agent, NAF Case FA417186 (Mar. 29, 2005).

KarlLagerfeld.com - Asian and Western Classics B.V. v. New York Link, Inc., NAF Case FA422746 (Mar. 30, 2005).

Both domain names have been ordered transferred to their respective celebrity/personal name trademark owners.