FIFA wins its latest domain name dispute filed with WIPO

Ian Blackshaw

doi:10.16997/eslj.29

Abstract

Sport is now big business and there is much to play for both on and off the field of play. With so much money at stake, it is not surprising that sports disputes of various kinds are on the increase. These include many ‘cyberspace’ disputes as a result of the inexorable rise of the Internet, the widespread use of sports domain names and websites and the resulting widespread phenomenon of ‘cybersquatting’ – the unfair registration and use of domain names. In this article, a recent case of ‘cybersquatting’ involving FIFA and the World Cup and its settlement through the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy of the Internet Corporation on Assigned Names and Numbers will be examined.

Highlights

FIFA wins its latest domain name dispute filed with WIPO
In the domain name dispute under consideration here, FIFA filed a Complaint against the South Korean with the WIPO Center requesting the transfer of this domain name to the Complainant, who had not authorized the use of this name by a third party
Paragraph 4(c) of the Policy provides that Respondent may establish rights or legitimate 18 interests in the Disputed Domain Name by proof of any of the following non-exclusive list of circumstances: i. before any notice to Respondent of the dispute, Respondent used, or made demonstrable preparations to use, the Disputed Domain Name or a name corresponding to the Disputed Domain Name in connection with a bona fideoffering of goods or services; or ii

Summary

Rights or Legitimate Interests

With so much money at stake, it is not surprising that sports disputes of various kinds are on the increase. These include many ‘cyberspace’ disputes as a result of the inexorable rise of the Internet, the widespread use of sports domain names and websites and the resulting widespread phenomenon of ‘cybersquatting’ – the unfair registration and use of domain names. FIFA and the World Cup and its settlement through the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy of the Internet Corporation on Assigned Names and Numbers will be examined

INTRODUCTION

RIGHTS OR LEGITIMATE INTERESTS

REGISTERED AND USED IN BAD FAITH

CONCLUDING REMARKS