Consistent with last week’s announcement by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), the National Arbitration Forum (FORUM) based in Minneapolis, MN, announced that 2,177 cases were filed in its domain name dispute resolution program in 2010.  This number represents a 24 percent increase from 2009 (1,759 cases) and 23 percent over 2008 (1,770 cases).  Of the over 2,100 UDRP cases filed, 96.6% involved generic top-level domain (gTLD) names including .com, .net and .org.  Approximately 70 cases involved a .us top-level domain under the United States Dispute Resolution Policy (usDRP).  

But what exactly does this data actually mean? FORUM and WIPO are the two approved providers for domain name dispute resolution services under policies like the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) implemented by ICANN in 1999.  And the question really is, “How effective are companies at protecting their brand through the UDRP?” 

The companies that do have an online brand enforcement strategy and use the UDRP to recover domains that are damaging their brand(s) the most are quite successful.  In about 75% of these cases, the Respondent does not even reply to a domain dispute and the Complaint wins UDRP cases over 90% percent of the time, regaining web traffic, ending customer confusion, and sending cyber pirates looking for easier targets.

To learn more about best practices when developing an online brand enforcement strategy or to receive a free brand monitoring analysis of your brand, you can contact us at Safenames US, +1.703.574.5313 and nasales@safenames.net, or the Safenames UK at +44 1908 200022 and emeasales@safenames.net.

Related posts:

1. Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) for Domain Name filings increase 28% in 2010
2. Domain Name Piracy: Why do so few Companies Put Up a Fight?
3. Safenames Wins Domain Dispute On Personal Name Without a Registered Trademark

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) just released its domain dispute filing data for 2010.  The results show that trademark holders filed 2,696 cybersquatting/typosquatting cases that included 4,370 domain names with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center).  The number of cases represent an increase of 28% over the 2009 level and of 16% over the previous record year for filings, 2008.  This growth trend indicates that brand owners are becoming more aware of the harmful effects caused by online trademark infringement including consumer confusion, inflated keyword budgets and lost revenue.

Since the UDRP’s launch in December 1999, the WIPO Center has received over 20,000 UDRP Cases, involving 35,000 domain names.  WIPO arbitrates domain disputes for both generic and country code Top Level Domains (gTLDs and ccTLDs).  Domain dispute cases filed with WIPO in 2010 included parties from 57 countries.

Interestingly, in 91% of cases, panels found evidence that domains were registered and being used in bad faith, thus deciding in favor of complainants.    The top five vertical markets for WIPO complainant activity were the retail, banking and finance, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Internet and IT, and fashion sectors.  While a majority of the cases (82%) related to registrations in the .com domain extension, domain disputes over country code Top Level Domains rose to 15% of all cases in 2010.

If your business is being damaged by cybersquatters infringing on your trademarks by diverting web traffic to pay per click ads sites, committing affiliate fraud, selling counterfeit goods or redirecting domains with your brands to your competitors, please contact Safenames to discuss your legal options.  Safenames legal team has experience filing UDRPs for both gTLDs (.COM/.NET/.ORG) and most ccTLDs including CO.UK, .SE and COM.AU.

If you would like to discuss filing a UDRP or online brand enforcement strategies and online brand monitoring for your trademarks, please contact your Safenames account manager.

If you are not currently a customer, you may also contact the the Safenames US office at +1.703.574.5313 and nasales@safenames.net, or the Safenames UK office at +44 1908 200022 and emeasales@safenames.net to discuss how we can help.

Related posts:

1. The National Arbitration Forum (FORUM) reports 24% increase in UDRP cases heard
2. Safenames Wins Domain Dispute On Personal Name Without a Registered Trademark
3. IRT suggests new Uniform Rapid Suspension System (“URS”) to suppliment UDRP

Several delegations expressed concern regarding initiatives at ICANN to review and possibly amend the WIPO-initiated Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). Moreover, the SCT supported the WIPO secretariat’s contribution to policy making in …

Several delegations expressed concern regarding initiatives at ICANN to review and possibly amend the WIPO-initiated Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). Moreover, the SCT supported the WIPO secretariat’s contribution to policy making in …

the UDRP and the Rules designate only four organizations for above resolution.These organizations are the ADNDRC, the National Arbitration Forum, the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Department of the World Intellectual Property Organization (” WIPO “), and …

the UDRP and the Rules designate only four organizations for above resolution.These organizations are the ADNDRC, the National Arbitration Forum, the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Department of the World Intellectual Property Organization (” WIPO “), and …

the UDRP and the Rules designate only four organizations for above resolution.These organizations are the ADNDRC, the National Arbitration Forum, the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Department of the World Intellectual Property Organization (” WIPO “), and …

the UDRP and the Rules designate only four organizations for above resolution.These organizations are the ADNDRC, the National Arbitration Forum, the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Department of the World Intellectual Property Organization (” WIPO “), and …

the UDRP and the Rules designate only four organizations for above resolution.These organizations are the ADNDRC, the National Arbitration Forum, the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Department of the World Intellectual Property Organization (” WIPO “), and …

the UDRP and the Rules designate only four organizations for above resolution.These organizations are the ADNDRC, the National Arbitration Forum, the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Department of the World Intellectual Property Organization (” WIPO “), and …