.com Likely to Continue to Dominate Domain Disputes as New gTLDs Loom: Report
February 07 2013 - 7:25AM
Business Wire
While the imminent arrival of more than a thousand new generic
top-level domains (gTLDs) has stoked concerns that cybersquatting
will skyrocket, a new report released today analyzing 2012 domain
dispute trends indicates America’s big brands have their hands full
dealing with existing domains like .com. Melbourne IT Digital Brand
Services’ (DBS) Report, which analyzed
domain dispute data from the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO), shows that .com was the domain most recovered
from cybersquatters by brands, with more than 3,475 domain names −
nearly triple the number of disputes in all other gTLDs combined.
The first full year of operation for the .xxx domain yielded only
16 disputes filed with WIPO (see infographic).
“The domain industry and America’s big brands have been looking
for evidence to shed light on the predictions that the arrival of
potential new gTLDs such as .web, .home and .sucks will drive
cybersquatting to new highs, and the first year of .xxx has been
closely watched as an indicator,” said Melbourne IT DBS Executive
Vice President, Martin Burke.
“Some will be quick to point out that 16 cases show the fears
are just hype, but that ignores the fact that around 80,000
trademarks were registered in .xxx to protect brands before the
gTLD even went live. What is more compelling is that .com accounts
for 68% of WIPO domain disputes, and in our view that percentage is
likely to remain high once the new gTLDs arrive, meaning the
biggest problem for brands is actually one they are already having
to deal with,” he said.
“However, we do agree with trademark holders that it is likely
cybersquatting cases will occur at the second level of new gTLDs,
so it is imperative that brands prepare now by considering which
trademarks will need to be registered in ICANN’s Trademark
Clearinghouse and by developing their domain registration strategy
for both protecting and promoting their brands in the new
domains.”
Available for download, other key WIPO data analyzed in the
Melbourne IT DBS Report includes:
- UDRP cases rose 4.3% year on year to
2,884, covering a record 5,082 domain names
- 88% of complaints in 2012 were upheld,
compared to the 85% average, indicating brands are getting better
at choosing when and how to file effective UDRP actions
- Among the brands that filed UDRP cases
with WIPO in 2012 were Apple, Dyson, IKEA, IBM, Intel, LEGO,
McDonald’s, Pfizer, Royal Bank of Scotland, and many others
- Among the Top 10 countries for UDRP
complainants, in 2012 compared to 2011:
- Italy and Germany increased the number
of cases filed by 70% and 63% respectively
- USA saw complainant case filings
decline 14%, for a total of 798 cases in 2012
- Liechtenstein saw cases skyrocket 411%,
from 18 to 92
- Among the Top 10 countries for UDRP
respondents, in 2012 compared to 2011:
- USA remained the greatest source of
squatters but saw no year-on-year change in volume
- China’s domain dispute level grew 47%,
making it a bigger hotspot for cybersquatting
- UK saw an 8% uptick in squatters, with
192 UDRP cases filed
- France, India, Canada, Australia,
Spain, and Netherlands saw a decrease in cases
With more than 1,000 new gTLDs expected to be introduced to the
Internet beginning this year, ICANN has designed the Trademark
Clearinghouse (TMCH) as a single database of authenticated
registered trademarks to help protect brands and their intellectual
property rights. The TMCH will act as a central repository where
submitted trademark information will be validated and checked by an
ICANN-approved agent, currently managed by consulting firm
Deloitte.
“With approved new domains due to start being delegated from
mid-2013 at the rate of 20 per week, organizations now need to
begin thinking about which of their trademarks are most at risk of
abuse online and should be registered in the Trademark
Clearinghouse. While the Trademark Clearinghouse won’t prevent
cybersquatting in the new gTLDs, it is an important service that
will streamline the registrations of domain names related to
trademarks during the sunrise process of each new gTLD, and provide
validated trademark information to support dispute resolution,” Mr
Burke said.
Melbourne IT DBS operates the industry’s leading domain recovery
and enforcement service with more than 800 UDRPs filed since 2005
and a UDRP success rate of 99%, well above the industry average. In
2012, Melbourne IT DBS recovered 725 disputed domain names on
behalf of brands worldwide.
WIPO is the largest of the four ICANN-approved Uniform Domain
Name Dispute Resolution (UDRP) providers and the only organization
providing on-demand public access to UDRP statistics. With no
single comprehensive data source on the cybersquatting problem, the
WIPO data analyzed by Melbourne IT DBS provides representative
insight into cybersquatting and recovery actions by brands.
For more information on Melbourne IT DBS’ industry-leading
domain recovery and enforcement services, visit
www.melbourneitdbs.com/udrp. Melbourne IT DBS is a global
organization and has brand protection specialists located in North
America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
About Melbourne IT Digital Brand Services
Melbourne IT DBS helps organizations manage, protect and
optimize online brands to maximize the value of online assets. The
Company helps clients minimize risk and make smarter decisions in
managing online presence. The Company’s 3,800 clients include some
of the world’s most recognizable brands. Headquartered in Santa
Clara, CA, Melbourne IT DBS maintains 15 offices in 10 countries,
and is a division of the listed Melbourne IT Group (ASX: MLB). For
more, visit www.melbourneitdbs.com
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