Domain disputes

Domain names help build awareness of your brand. A good domain name is often just as important as a trademark.

Letting somebody else use your brand in their domain name can do real harm. A third party acting in bad faith may exploit the reputation of your brand and appropriate your goodwill for its own ends.

I need help with a domain dispute

Out-of-court resolution

What if someone else already uses the domain?

The general principle is first come, first served. That does not hold without exception.

In most cases the registration agreement between the registrar and the holder contains a clause forbidding the holder to infringe third-party rights by the registration — trademarks, business names and the like.

For such cases registration agreements usually provide a basis for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) — domain ADR. These proceedings are generally cheaper and faster than going to court.

Instrumentdomain ADR

Basisthe registration agreement

Versus courtcheaper and faster