[gnso-rpm-wg] Questionable UDRPs & TM applications

[Phil Corwin]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention George. This can be considered when we reach the UDRP phase of our work.

Philip S. Corwin, Founding Principal
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-----Original Message-----
From: gnso-rpm-wg-bounces at icann.org [mailto:gnso-rpm-wg-bounces at icann.org] On Behalf Of George Kirikos
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2016 10:06 AM
To: gnso-rpm-wg at icann.org
Subject: [gnso-rpm-wg] Questionable UDRPs & TM applications

Hi folks,

We're not yet on the UDRP topic, but I thought this story should be bookmarked for our future policy work, as an example of how the UDRP policy can be misused to engage in reverse domain name hijacking:

http://domainnamewire.com/2016/08/19/new-trademark-king-domainers-need-watch/

which was also covered by two other blogs:

http://onlinedomain.com/2016/08/17/domain-name-news/company-filed-udrp-googles-zero-com-applied-68-trademarks-incl-10-domains-like-rome-com/

http://domaingang.com/domain-law/trademark-applications-for-tokyo-com-and-rome-com-are-made-in-pakistan/

It is important, in my opinion, to close the loopholes that are driving this kind of behaviour that targets domain name registrants.
When very valuable domain names are coveted, but the costs of creating shell companies is low --- in the UK, merely £12:

https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/register-your-company

and/or the costs of filing TM applications are low (under USD $10 for the Pakistan TM fees), the scale of the problem can be even greater.

Sincerely,

George Kirikos
416-588-0269
http://www.leap.com/
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