This May, the ICA is bringing together approximately 50 of the domain industry’s top leaders for an exclusive meet-up in the heart of New York City. ICA NYC isn’t a conference. It’s an opportunity for domain investors, industry principals, and senior executives to build relationships, share perspectives, and have candid, high-level conversations about where the industry is headed, and how …
Complainant’s Wilful Blindness to Publicly Available Evidence Leads to RDNH – vol. 6.11
Complainant’s Wilful Blindness to Publicly Available Evidence Leads to RDNH This is a clear and well-reasoned decision in which the Panel not only rejected the Complaint on the merits, but also issued a firm finding of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking (“RDNH”) grounded in the Complainant’s failure to conduct even minimal due diligence. Continue reading commentary here. We hope you will …
SAVE THE DATE – ICA.VEGAS 2027 BACK AT PARK MGM!
Mark your calendars! ICA.Vegas 2027 is officially happening January 25-27 at Park MGM in Las Vegas, and tickets are on sale now. Grab your ticket here! Tickets start at $599 (Regular Price at the door $999). Prices will increase over time so make sure to register early! Our 3-day event brings together domain investors, brokers, attorneys, registrars, registries, monetization companies, and …
Chronological Barrier Defeats Complaint; Panel Finds RDNH – vol. 6.10
Chronological Barrier Defeats Complaint; Panel Finds RDNH This case reflects a straightforward application of a foundational UDRP principle, namely that a complainant generally cannot establish bad-faith registration where the domain name predates the complainant’s trademark rights. Panels consistently treat this chronological barrier as decisive unless there is evidence of targeting through insider knowledge or other exceptional circumstances. None existed here. Continue …
Panel Rejects “Topical Use” Requirement for Descriptive Domain Investors; RDNH Found – vol 6.9
Panel Rejects “Topical Use” Requirement for Descriptive Domain Investors; RDNH Found This decision squarely rejects a recurring and incorrect theory advanced in UDRP complaints: that a domain investor must use a domain name in connection with goods or services corresponding to the ordinary meaning of the words in the domain, either as to that particular name or across its portfolio. …
Panel Rebukes “Doomed” Complaint Where Domain Predates Complainant by 12 Years – vol. 6.8
Panel Rebukes “Doomed” Complaint Where Domain Predates Complainant by 12 Years The disputed domain name was registered in 2010 — fully twelve years before the Complainant came into existence and fourteen years before its claimed first use. The Complainant went further and expressly disclaimed any allegation that the Respondent registered the domain name with knowledge of, or intent to target, …
Parties Are Free to Represent Themselves But Must Bear the Consequences – vol 6.7
Parties Are Free to Represent Themselves But Must Bear the Consequences iguide .com is a well-reasoned decision from Panelist Ivett Paulovics that methodically applies foundational UDRP principles – particularly with respect to passive holding, temporal priority, and Reverse Domain Name Hijacking (“RDNH”). The analysis is careful, structured, and entirely consistent with established jurisprudence. Continue reading commentary here. WIPO and ICA Conclude Comprehensive Review …
Panel Finds RDNH Against French Bank for Second Time – vol 6.6
Panel Finds RDNH Against French Bank for Second Time This was the second time that this Complainant was found to have engaged in RDNH with respect to a four-letter acronym domain name. The first time was covered in our Digest here. The first case involved (Respondent represented by Ankur Raheja, our Editor-in-Chief), whereas the present case involved (represented by author, …
ICA AMA with GoDaddy’s “Broker Tom” Tom McCarthy
Inside High-Value Domain Deals: An AMA with GoDaddy’s Tom McCarthy Premium domain names have become far more than marketing tools. For founders, corporate buyers, and investors, they’re increasingly viewed as long-term brand assets that can shape credibility, clarity, and brand strength from day one. As part of the Internet Commerce Association’s ongoing AMA series, we’re hosting a conversation that goes …
Panel: Complainant Needed Evidence of Targeting Considering Dictionary Meaning of “Etihad” – vol. 6.5
Panel: Complainant Needed Evidence of Targeting Considering Dictionary Meaning of “Etihad” Though perhaps initially a surprising outcome, the Panel provided a compelling explanation of its determination that there was no basis for finding targeting of the Complainant’s trademark given the dictionary meaning of the transliterated word, Etihad, and given its common use amongst third parties in various industries. Despite the …