The use of trademarks as domain names may constitute infringement, it has been claimed.
According to Lawdit, the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) offers protection to trademark owners in this area.
The UDRP gives them the legal right to seek the transfer of a domain that is identical or confusingly similar to their trademark.
Providing there has been an element of bad faith in the registration of the domain name, WIPO is likely to instruct the owner to give up the legal rights.
This policy allows businesses to operate safe in the knowledge there is an opportunity for recourse should a third party attempt to capitalise on their intellectual property.
Last week, it was reported the Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder is seeking the return of a domain name he recently owned – eddievedder.com.
Upon its expiration, the domain name was registered by a third party known as EV Touring, Inc.