Western Internet Law

What is a UDRP Domain Name Dispute?

Answer: UDRP is an abbreviation for the Uniform Domain Name Resolution Policy (UDRP) which is a contract between every gTLD domain name registrant and their registrar.   ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) makes all approved registrars (i.e. those retailing domain names like GoDaddy) agree in writing that they will obligate all gTLD registrants to agree to the UDRP upon registration for renewal of a domain name.  Because all domain name registrants have agreed to the UDRP, all domain name registrants are subject to mandatory arbitrative proceedings before either the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).  These organizations have the authority to strip domain names from their registrants if either determines the domain name was registered in violation of the UDRP.  We can help you commence a UDRP action to take a domain name registered by another, or defend you in a UDRP case wrongfully initiated by another.  You need a good website attorney to handle your UDRP action.  Please contact us anytime at: 888-941-9933.

What is the ACPA?

Answer: ACPA is an abbreviation for the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA).  This is a federal statute that allows individuals and corporate organizations to sue other third-parties for registering domain names they shouldn't have; often for registering a domain name that incorporates the trademark or brand name of another.  Courts adjudicating ACPA actions can take the subject domain name from a defendant and/or award money damages to a plaintiff filing the action against the defendant in some cases.