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E L E C T R O N I C   C O M M E R C E :   V E R S I O N  2.0

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NOTICES:	Congratulations to the Fall 2001 class for an excellent semester. eCommerce will return next year.

 

Digital Trademarks III:
Shifting Approaches - ICANN & the ACPA
[link to materials]

 

1. The Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) 2. UDRP Decisions 3. Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA)

 

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ICANN: The Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy

 

1. Why is ICANN in the domain names & trademarks business?

Should we be concerned? About what?

Why would ICANN take this on? What's in it for them?

 

2. How is the UDRP promulgated?

Who decides on the content?

Why does everyone agree to it?

 

3. The Content of the UDRP

UDRP: Paragraph 4

Three elements to prove:

(1) domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark

(2) registrant has no rights or legitimate interests in the domain name

(3) domain name was registered and is being used in "bad faith"

What is "bad faith"? [Paragraph 4(b)]

How do you show "rights or legitimate interests" [Paragraph 4(c)]

 

UDRP Procedure:

(1) complainant selects the provider

(2) fees paid by the complainant, unless the respondent requests a three-member panel, then costs are split

(3) does not prevent court proceedings -- 10-day delay

 

4. UDRP Results

Is the high "win rate" for the complainants (i.e., trademark owners) troubling?

Does it necessarily indicate bias in the system?

 

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UDRP Decisions

case	"identical or confusingly similar"	no rights or legitimate interests	bad faith	result
Telestra.com				transfer
Crew.com				transfer
Juliaroberts.com				transfer
Geociities.com				transfer
wal-martsucks.com				transfer
walmartcanadasucks.com				transfer

 

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The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act

 

1. Why do you think this was passed?

 

2. ACPA Requirements

basic requirements:

(1)"registers, traffics in, or uses" a domain name that is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark (or "dulitive" in the case of a famous mark.

(2) "bad faith intent to profit"

 

Bad Faith -- 15 USC § 1125(d)(1)(b)

Nine general factors

"safe harbor" provision

 

3. ACPA Cases

northlandinsurance.com

peta.org

 

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Domain Name Dispute Resolution

claim	requirements	exceptions / safe harbors	remedies	cases
trademark infringement	"likelihood of confusion"	fair use / parody	injunction, damages	Panavision, Bally, Clue, Peta
trademark dilution	(1) famous mark (2) dilution
UDRP	(1) identity or confusion (2) no legitimate rights (3) bad faith	none	transfer	telestra.com, crew.com, juliaroberts.com, geociities.com, wal-martsucks.com
ACPA	(1) identity or confusion (2) bad faith	fair use / parody	transfer	Northland, Peta

 

(1) Where are we going with this regulation of domain name disputes? Are we meeting the objectives?

 

(2) How would you advise a client who wanted to:

(a) buy and sell domain names for money

(b) set up a web site criticizing a major corporation

 

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