Bad faith registration...INDRP case

[Ceres]

INDRP case: SinghAndAssociates.in

Singh and Associates is the name of a law firm and service mark owned by the Complainant. The Respondent is the owner of the domain name SinghAndAssociates.in.

The Respondent did not file a response.

There was no default evidence to show the Respondent had any legitimate interest in the name Singh and Associates. The Arbitrator concluded that the Respondent had intentionally attempted to create a likelihood of confusion between his website and the Complainant's mark.

The Respondent was ordered to transfer the domain SinghAndAssociates.in to the Complainant.

I agree with the Arbitrator's decision. As there was no evidence to the contrary, this appears to be another example of someone trying to trade off the goodwill of a third party.

These types of registrations are hurting the domain industry.

 

[Jeff]

Seems like a no brainer case.

Yes, the problem with these cases is that they can create a very negative perception of domainers

 

[Ceres]

Interestingly enough, as this case involved a law firm, it helped me discover something that's been puzzling me these past few months: why aren't I seeing more Indian advocates advertising on the internet?

I found my answer here. In short, it was only last year that the Bar Council of India permitted Indian advocates to advertise on the internet (some restrictions still apply).