Domain Name Disputes on the Rise

[Homes25]

Disputes over domain names can be resolved within the industry by the Uniform Domain Name Resolution Policy process from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Domain disputes involving trademark infringement can also be disputed in standard courts or through arbitration.

Alternative dispute resolution service provider National Arbitration Forum oversaw a total of 1,805 domain name disputes in 2007, up from 1,658 in 2006. Cases filed with the FORUM are heard and decided by independent, neutral panelists who have specialized domain name, trademark, copyright and/or e-commerce experience. Panelists are located around the world and can conduct proceedings in several languages.

In a summary of their findings from 2007, the National Arbitration Forum found that there have been 9,916 domain name complaints since 1999. Of these filings, panelists heard 8,006 cases, with the remainder being settled by the individual parties.

Cybersquatters are forcing popular websites to be more diligent with their trademark monitoring