I received an UDRP Complaint. Help!

A UDRP Complaint, or Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy complaint, is a process established by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for the resolution of disputes regarding the registration of internet domain names. So why does this matter?

If you register a domain name without the adequate trademarks necessary to protect the domain name, you may find yourself defending against a UDRP complaint or, worse, handing over the domain name at issue to a third party who owns the appropriate trademark registrations.

Antares Law Firm represents clients in such proceedings. Earlier this year, the Antares Law Firm successfully represented a client in a UDRP Complaint filed by an industry giant. What was at stake? The client's domain name, which in today’s market serves as a storefront for most businesses. The loss of a domain name can shut down a company.

The Complainant in that particular case requested that our client's domain name be transferred to them as the domain name was confusingly similar to their trademarks and incorporated additions that were inadequate to distinguish the domain name from the Complainant's marks.

The UDRP sided with our client, agreeing that the client's name qualified as legitimate, fair use inclusion of Complainant's mark in the domain name at issue.

Without representation for the Respondent, the majority of UDRP Proceedings are decided in favor of the Complainant. We cannot emphasize how important it is to protect your branding. Should you find yourself in a UDRP proceeding or trademark infringement lawsuit, contact us today for a consultation.

Laila Ghauri, Esq., Principal Attorney, Antares Law Firm