Blog buddy Joe Culligan of Web of Deception likes to buy politicians names in the form of urls. Bill Clinton didn't like it, especially as his urls were re-directed to the Republican National Committee. So, he filed a complaint. This has been going on for sometime. The ruling came down today. Clinton's complaint didn't fly. So much for getting your good name back, Bill!
Complainant is William J. Clinton and The William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation (“Complainant”), represented by Michael Maoz, of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, New York, USA. Respondent is Web of Deception (“Respondent”), represented by Joseph Culligan, of Post Office Box 52-1636, Florida, USA.
REGISTRAR AND DISPUTED DOMAIN NAMES
The domain names at issue are <williamclinton.com>, <williamjclinton.com> and <presidentbillclinton.com>, registered with The Name It Corporation d/b/a Nameservices.net.
The Panelist simply cannot find bad faith in this case. None of the elements of bad faith are met. The Respondent’s conduct in registering, acquiring and utilizing these domain names is simply not within the UDRP definition of bad faith. The facts alleged by Complainant are simply unpersuasive. Evidence of bad faith (i) requires a showing that the names were registered or acquired for the purpose of selling or transferring the name to the mark holder; (ii) in order to prevent the mark holder from registering the domain; (iii) to disrupt a competitor’s business; or (iv) to attract Internet users by confusing them. The only one of these that could possibly apply is (ii), which requires a showing of a pattern of conduct. While Respondent’s conduct in registering the names of politicians does reflect a pattern, Respondent has adequately rebutted any inference of bad faith.
What good name?
Posted by: Jamie Lockett | Tuesday, June 02, 2009 at 11:09 PM