Yesterday, for the 500th time, an expert panel under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy or “UDRP”, issued a decision finding a Complainant guilty of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking or “RDNH”. RDNH is an attempt to egregiously misuse the UDRP to unjustly seize a domain name from its lawful owner.
ICANN, the Internet’s domain name overseer, established its anti-cybersquatting policy known as the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy or “UDRP” on August 26, 1999. The UDRP is intended to offer trademark owners a speedy, efficient and low-cost means to remedy instances of cybersquatting by enabling the trademark owners to take ownership of domain names that target their brands in bad faith.
To-date, the UDRP has adjudicated over 80,000 domain name disputes. The vast majority of them result in the transfer of a cybersquatted domain name to the rightful trademark owner.
ICA’s Board Member, Nat Cohen, and General Counsel Zak Muscovitch co-authored a fantastic article on CircleID, which looks back at the RDNH, its applications, strengths, and limitations. We highly recommend you read it!