Reverse Domain Name Hijacking: Toothless Tiger Or Flag Of Disingenuity?

This article first appeared on WTR Daily, part of World Trademark Review on 29 September 2011.

Allegations of reverse domain name hijacking under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) are not uncommon. A review of World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) domain name dispute resolution decisions over the approximately three-month period since the beginning of June 2011 reveals respondents alleging reverse domain name hijacking in 22 cases and 13 panels denying complaints,of which five resulted in a finding of reverse domain name hijacking. It is apparent from the number of respondents alleging reverse domain name hijacking unsuccessfully that there remains considerable confusion as to when and why it should be alleged in a UDRP complaint.