Analyzing the WIPO Domain Name Dispute Case D2020-2608

In the WIPO Domain Name Dispute Case No. D2020-2608, the complainant was Wedi GmbH, a German company, against the respondent Dong Jin Kim from the Republic of Korea. The case revolved around the domain name wedi.com. Wedi GmbH, established in 1983, had international trademark registrations for WEDI, including a registration from 2002. However, the domain name wedi.com was registered earlier, in 2000, by Dong Jin Kim.

Wedi GmbH contended that the domain name was identical to their trademark and that Kim had no legitimate interest in it, asserting its registration and use were in bad faith. Kim argued that the domain name was acquired for a wedding information service, pointing out its registration predated Wedi GmbH’s 2002 trademark registration. Kim also denied awareness of Wedi GmbH’s trademark at the time of domain registration, stating the trademark was not famous in Korea.

The panel, led by Moonchul Chang, determined that the domain name was identical to the WEDI trademark. However, it found that the trademark’s registration came after the domain’s registration, and there was insufficient evidence to conclude that Kim knew of the trademark when registering the domain. Therefore, the complaint failed to establish bad faith in the domain’s registration and use.

The decision was made in English, considering both parties’ language capabilities and fairness. The panel denied the complaint and also refused Kim’s request for a finding of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking, concluding that the complaint was not filed in bad faith.

The full details and context of the case, including the procedural history and the panel’s analysis, can be found in the WIPO decision document for Case No. D2020-2608.

In the WIPO Domain Name Dispute Case No. D2020-2608, the complainant was Wedi GmbH, a German company, against the respondent Dong Jin Kim from the Republic of Korea. The case revolved around the domain name wedi.com. Wedi GmbH, established in 1983, had international trademark registrations for WEDI, including a registration from 2002. However, the domain…