WIPO Domain Name Dispute Case D2017-2549: Robert Bosch GmbH v. Domain Admin, Tucows.com Co
- by Staff
In the domain name dispute case D2017-2549, adjudicated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the complainant was Robert Bosch GmbH, a large multinational manufacturing company headquartered in Germany. The respondent in this case was Domain Admin, Tucows.com Co, a well-known ICANN-accredited registrar based in Canada. The dispute revolved around the domain name bosch.net.
Robert Bosch GmbH argued that the domain name was identical to its well-established BOSCH trademark and that the registration and use of bosch.net were in bad faith. However, Tucows.com Co presented a robust defense, stating that the domain name was part of a large portfolio of domain names used for a legitimate business providing email addresses matching common surnames, including “Bosch.”
The WIPO Panel found that Tucows.com Co had a legitimate interest in the domain name as it was used for a bona fide business service. Furthermore, the panel concluded that the domain name was not registered or used in bad faith. The allegations made by Robert Bosch GmbH regarding the nature of the webpage associated with bosch.net were found to be inaccurate, and the complaint was subsequently denied. The panel also declared that the complaint constituted an abuse of the administrative proceeding, amounting to Reverse Domain Name Hijacking.
This case highlights the complexities involved in domain name disputes, especially when dealing with common surnames that also function as trademarks. The decision underscores the importance of accurate representation of facts and the careful consideration of legitimate business uses of domain names in UDRP proceedings.
In the domain name dispute case D2017-2549, adjudicated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the complainant was Robert Bosch GmbH, a large multinational manufacturing company headquartered in Germany. The respondent in this case was Domain Admin, Tucows.com Co, a well-known ICANN-accredited registrar based in Canada. The dispute revolved around the domain name bosch.net. Robert…