Analysis of WIPO Case D2016-0773: Starpixel Marketing LLC dba Vape Magazine v. Geoffrey Stonham

In the WIPO domain name dispute case D2016-0773, Starpixel Marketing LLC, doing business as Vape Magazine, filed a complaint against Geoffrey Stonham over the domain name . The Complainant alleged trademark rights to “VAPE MAGAZINE” and claimed the domain name was identical to their mark. However, the Panel found that the Complainant had not established trademark rights since its application was pending and the mark was highly descriptive. The disputed domain name was registered before the Complainant’s business inception, and the Complainant could not prove bad faith registration and use. Consequently, the complaint was denied, and the Panel declared it as an instance of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking, indicating that the Complainant’s case was brought in bad faith.

For more details, you can visit the full decision on the WIPO website: WIPO Domain Name Decision: D2016-0773.

In the WIPO domain name dispute case D2016-0773, Starpixel Marketing LLC, doing business as Vape Magazine, filed a complaint against Geoffrey Stonham over the domain name . The Complainant alleged trademark rights to “VAPE MAGAZINE” and claimed the domain name was identical to their mark. However, the Panel found that the Complainant had not established…