DOMAIN NAME DISPUTES
The Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) is a process established by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for the resolving disputes over domain names.
When a registrant chooses a domain name, the registrant must "represent and warrant," that the registration of the domain name "will not infringe upon or otherwise violate the rights of any third party." The registrant must also agree to participate in arbitration proceedings if a third-party alleges such a violation has occurred.
To file a Complaint under the UDRP, a Complainant must establish three elements:
• The domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark
or service mark in which the complainant has rights;
• The registrant does not have any rights or legitimate interests in the domain name; and
• The registrant registered the domain name and is using it in "bad faith."
If a Complainant is successful, the domain name will be transferred to the Complainant. Currently, the UDRP applies to the following top level domain names:
.aero .asia .biz .cat .com .coop .info .jobs .mobi .museum .name .net .org .pro .tel .travel
The UDRP also applies to some top level country code domain names