national arbitration forum
DECISION
Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
Corporation China v Domain Admin / Private Registrations Aktien Gesellschaft
Claim Number: FA1410001586495
PARTIES
Complainant
is Lenovo (Beijing) Limited Corporation China (“Complainant”), represented
by CitizenHawk, Inc., California, USA. Respondent is Domain Admin /
Private Registrations Aktien Gesellschaft (“Respondent”), St. Vincent and
the Grenadines.
REGISTRAR
AND DISPUTED DOMAIN NAMES
The
domain names at issue are <lennovo.com>, <lenoveo.com>,
and <lenvovo.com>, registered with BigRock Solutions Ltd.
and PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com.
PANEL
The
undersigned certifies he has acted independently and impartially and to the best
of his knowledge has no known conflict in serving as Panelist in this
proceeding.
Houston
Putnam Lowry, Chartered Arbitrator, as Panelist.
PROCEDURAL
HISTORY
Complainant
submitted a Complaint to the National Arbitration Forum electronically on October
23, 2014; the National Arbitration Forum received payment on October 23, 2014.
On
October 23, 2014, BigRock Solutions Ltd. confirmed that the <lenvovo.com>
domain name is registered with BigRock Solutions Ltd. and that Respondent
is the current registrant of the name. BigRock Solutions Ltd. has verified that
Respondent is bound by the BigRock Solutions Ltd. registration agreement and
has thereby agreed to resolve domain disputes brought by third parties in
accordance with ICANN’s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the
“Policy”).
On
October 24, 2014, PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com confirmed by e-mail
to the National Arbitration Forum that the <lennovo.com> and <lenoveo.com>
domain names are registered with PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com
and that Respondent is the current registrant of the names. PDR Ltd. d/b/a
PublicDomainRegistry.com has verified that Respondent is bound by the PDR Ltd.
d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com registration agreement and has thereby agreed to
resolve domain disputes brought by third parties in accordance with ICANN’s
Policy.
On
October 29, 2014, the Forum served the Complaint and all Annexes, including a
Written Notice of the Complaint, setting a deadline of November 18, 2014 by
which Respondent could file a Response to the Complaint, via e-mail to all
entities and persons listed on Respondent’s registration as technical,
administrative, and billing contacts, and to postmaster@lennovo.com,
postmaster@lenoveo.com, postmaster@lenvovo.com. Also on October 29, 2014, the
Written Notice of the Complaint, notifying Respondent of the e-mail addresses
served and the deadline for a Response, was transmitted to Respondent via post
and fax, to all entities and persons listed on Respondent’s registration as
technical, administrative and billing contacts.
Having
received no response from Respondent, the National Arbitration Forum
transmitted to the parties a Notification of Respondent Default.
On
November 25, 2014, pursuant to Complainant's request to have the dispute
decided by a single-member Panel, the National Arbitration Forum appointed Houston
Putnam Lowry, Chartered Arbitrator, as Panelist.
Having
reviewed the communications records, the Administrative Panel (the
"Panel") finds that the National Arbitration Forum has discharged its
responsibility under Paragraph 2(a) of the Rules for Uniform Domain Name
Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Rules") "to employ reasonably
available means calculated to achieve actual notice to Respondent" through
submission of Electronic and Written Notices, as defined in Rule 1 and Rule 2.
Therefore, the Panel may issue its decision based on the documents submitted
and in accordance with the ICANN Policy, ICANN Rules, the National Arbitration
Forum's Supplemental Rules and any rules and principles of law that the Panel
deems applicable, without the benefit of any response from Respondent.
RELIEF SOUGHT
Complainant
requests that the domain name be transferred from Respondent
to Complainant.
PARTIES'
CONTENTIONS
A.
Complainant
Complainant’s LENOVO Mark:
Lenovo (Beijing) Limited Corporation China
("Complainant"), with principal place of business in Beijing,
People's Republic of China, is the owner of Federal Trademark/Service Mark
Registration for "LENOVO" in Class 9,37, 42 for computer products
and services, as shown below:
[i.] LENOVO for computer memories; computer peripheral equipment;
printers for use with computers; scanners for use with data processing
equipment and computers; blank and encoded integrated circuit cards; notebook
computers; photocopiers; photo telegraphy apparatus; modems; mobile
telephones; amusement apparatus for use with television receivers, namely,
computer game cartridges, computer game cassettes, computer game software;
computer game software and programs; personal stereos; portable listening
devices, namely, CD players, digital and analog cassette decks, digital
recorder and playback equipment for personal use; photo-graphic and digital
cameras; single crystal silicon in the form of wafers, chips, and unformed
for use for scientific purposes and semiconductor use; integrated circuits.
and computer software, namely, communications software for connecting
computer network users and global computer networks, computer communications
software to allow customers to access account information and transact
business, computer e-commerce software to allow users to perform electronic
business transactions via a global computer network, computer game software,
computer graphics software, computer screen saver software, computer search
engine software, computer software for use in database management, for use as
a spreadsheet, for word processing, for accounting, for business development,
for customer service in a wide variety of fields, computer software for use
in database management, for use as a spreadsheet, foreword processing, for
accounting, for business development, for customer service in a wide variety
of fields that may be downloaded from a global computer network, computer
software development tools, computer software for accessing information directories
that may be downloaded from the global computer network, computer software
for application and database integration, computer software for creating
searchable databases of information and data, computer software for the
collection, editing, organizing, modifying, bookmarking, transmission storage
and sharing of data and information, computer software for communicating with
users of hand-held computers, computer software that assists computers in
deploying parallel applications and performing parallel computations,
computer software to automate data warehousing, computer software to control
and improve computer and audio equipment sound quality, computer software to
enhance the audio-visual capabilities of multi-media applications, namely,
for the integration with the telephone and/or software features of the mobile
device, computer telephony software, computer software for use with a global
positioning system (GPS), and computer software for graphics arts, animation
and manipulation of images; Electric appliance installation and repair;
office machines and equipment installation, maintenance and repair;
installation, maintenance and repair of computer hardware; interference
suppression electrical apparatus; photographic apparatus repair; telephone installation
and repair; Computer programming for others; computer software design for
others; updating of computer software for others; computer hardware
consulting services; recovery of computer data; maintenance of computer
software, computer system design for others; hosting web sites for others on
a computer server for a global communications network; installation of
computer software. FIRST USE: 20030218. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20050501 (U.S.
Reg. No. 3,149,377).
Lenovo
also owns similar registrations in every major country in the world.
The
LENOVO containing US mark and registration owned by Complainant is referred
to hereafter as the "Complainant's Mark".
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FACTUAL
AND LEGAL GROUNDS
This Complaint is based on the following factual and legal grounds:
Lenovo is one of the world's largest makers of personal computers and makes the
world's most innovative PCs, including the ThinkPad notebook as well as
products carrying the ThinkCentre, ThinkStation, ThinkServer, IdeaCentre and
IdeaPadsub-brands.
Lenovo
is a global corporation with operations in more than 60 countries on six
continents, with operations hubs, marketing hubs and research centers in China,
France, Japan and the United States. The company employs more than 23,000
people worldwide, including 1,700 designers, scientists and engineers.
Resulting
from the merger of Legend Holdings in China and IBM's Personal Computing
Division in United States, Lenovo integrated each company's unique talents,
combining Legend's innovations in information technology and IBM's advances in
personal computer technology.
As
a result, Lenovo embodies the unique market possibilities in combining the best
of East and West -- joining North American and China-based technology players
in the creation of a unified global PC leader with growing market positions in
developed and emerging markets alike. With more than $16 billion in annual
revenue, Lenovo's market strength spans not only market geographies but also
the world's consumer and business PC markets.
Legend
was founded in 1984 and changed its name to Lenovo in 2003. Lenovo owns the
LENOVO Mark cited above for which it has obtained a US federal trademark, as
well as International Chinese National registrations. None of the US
federal mark registrations have been abandoned, cancelled, or revoked.
Lenovo has spent millions of dollars in advertisement and promotion of the
Lenovo Mark on the Internet through its website located at LENOVO.COM. Based on
its federal trademark registrations and ones around the world and extensive
use, Lenovo owns the exclusive right to use the LENOVO Mark in connection with
computer technology products and services.
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[a.]
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The
Disputed Domain Name(s) are nearly identical and confusingly similar to
Complainant's Marks.
i.
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By
virtue of its federal trademark and/or service mark registration(s),
Complainant is the owner of the Complainant's Mark(s). See, e.g., United
Way of America v. Alex Zingaus, NAF Claim No. FA0707001036202
("Panels have long recognized Complainant's registration of a mark
with a trademark authority is sufficient to confer rights in the mark
pursuant to Policy 4(a)(i)"). As in other cases, it is also important
to note that it is irrelevant for the purposes of Policy ¶4(a)(i) whether
Complainant registered the mark in the country where Respondent operates or
resides. See Koninklijke KPN N.V. v. Telepathy Inc., D2001-0217
(WIPO May 7, 2001) (finding that the Policy does not require that a mark be
registered in the country in which a respondent operates, it being
sufficient that a complainant can demonstrate rights in a mark in some
jurisdiction).
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ii.
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When
comparing the Disputed Domain Name(s) to the Complainant's Mark(s), the
relevant comparison to be made is between only the second-level portion of
the Disputed Domain Name(s) and the Complainant's Mark(s). See Rollerblade,
Inc. v. Chris McCready, WIPO Case No. D2000-0429 (finding that the
top-level domain, such as ".net" or ".com", does not
affect the domain name for the purpose of determining whether it is
identical or confusingly similar); see also Gardline Surveys Ltd. v.
Domain Fin. Ltd., NAF Claim No. FA0304000153545 ("[t]he addition
of a top-level domain is irrelevant when establishing whether or not a mark
is identical or confusingly similar, because top-level domains are a
required element of every domain name.")
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iv.
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The
Disputed Domain Name(s) (is/are) confusingly similar to Complainant's
Mark(s) because (it/they) differ(s) by only a single character from
Complainant's Mark(s), or because it differs by only the juxtaposition of
two characters when compared to Complainant's Mark(s). For clarification,
the Disputed Domain Name(s) contain(s) either:
[i.] the addition of one extra character, or...
[ii.] the removal of one character, or...
[iii.] one character which is incorrect, or...
[iv.] two juxtaposed characters
as compared to Complainant's Mark(s).
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v.
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The
Disputed Domain Name(s) (is/are), simply put, a classic example of
"typosquatting". The practice of typosquatting is designed to
take advantage of Internet users' typographical errors, which means the
names must be confusingly similar by design. See Reuters Ltd. v. Global
Net 2000, Inc., WIPO Case No. D2000-0441 (finding that a domain name
which differs by only one letter from a trademark has a greater tendency to
be confusingly similar to the trademark where the trademark is highly
distinctive); Caterpillar Inc. v. Center for Ban on Drugs, NAF Claim
No. FA0603000661437 ("the omission of a single letter from
Complainant's mark does not adequately distinguish the Disputed Domain Name
from the mark"); and Victoria's Secret v. Zuccarini, NAF Claim
No. FA0010000095762 (finding that, by misspelling words and adding letters
to words, a respondent does not create a distinct mark but nevertheless
renders the domain name confusingly similar to the complainant's marks).
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[b.]
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Respondent
has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the Disputed Domain
Name(s) for the following reasons:
i.
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Respondent
has not been commonly known by the Disputed Domain Name(s). Upon information
and belief, at the time Respondent registered the Domain Name(s), it had no
trademark or intellectual property rights in the Domain Name(s). See
Policy, ¶4(c)(ii). Where, as here, "the WHOIS information suggests
Respondent is known as" an entity other than the trademark associated
with Complainant, and Complainant has not "licensed, authorized, or
permitted Respondent to register domain names incorporating
Complainant's... mark," a Panel should find that the Respondent is not
commonly known by the Disputed Domain Name. United Way of America v.
Alex Zingaus, NAF Claim No. FA0707001036202.
See
also RMO, Inc. v. Burbridge, FA 96949 (Nat. Arb. Forum May 16, 2001)
(interpreting Policy , ¶4(c)(ii) "to require a showing that one has
been commonly known by the domain name prior to registration of the domain
name to prevail"); See also Gallup Inc. v. Amish Country Store,
FA 96209 (Nat. Arb. Forum Jan. 23, 2001) (finding that when a respondent
was not known by a mark it did not have rights in a domain name incorporating
that mark).
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ii.
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Respondent is not
sponsored by or legitimately affiliated with Complainant in any way.
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iii.
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Complainant
has not given Respondent permission to use Complainant's Mark in a domain
name. See Compagnie de Saint Gobain v. Com-Union Corp., D2000-0020
(WIPO
Mar. 14, 2000) (finding that a respondent had no rights or legitimate
interest in the disputed domain name where it was not commonly known by the
mark and never applied for a license or permission to use the mark).
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iv.
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A
"Cease and Desist" letter was sent to the Respondent. The letter
informed the Respondent that it was infringing on Complainant's IP rights
and allowed the Respondent the opportunity to respond if they have any IP
rights. The Respondent was provided with the information of the
Complainant's trademark(s), hence showing proof that the Complainant has
rights to the brand(s). To date, no reply has been received from
Respondent. The Respondent's failure to respond allows all reasonable
inferences of fact in the allegations of the Complaint to be deemed true. See
also Talk City, Inc. v. Robertson, WIPO Case No. D2000-0009 (WIPO Feb.
29, 2000("In the absence of a response, it is appropriate to accept as
true all allegations of the Complaint."). Also in WIPO case ACCOR
v. Pham Manh Ha, Case No. D2007-1855, the panel found that the
evidentiary burden therefore shifts to the Respondent to show by concrete
evidence that it does have rights or legitimate interests in that name.
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v.
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Respondent
has ignored Complainant's attempts to resolve the dispute outside of this
administrative proceeding. Complainant notes that if the owner of the
Disputed Domain Name(s) fails to respond to this Complaint, it is presumed
that the owner has no rights or legitimate interests in the Disputed Domain
Name(s). See Mattel, Inc. v. Rave Club Berlin, FA106115 (Nat. Arb.
Forum May 8, 2002), citing Pavillion Agency, Inc. v. Greenhouse Agency
Ltd., D2000-1221 (WIPO Dec. 4, 2000) (finding that Respondents' failure
to respond can be construed as an admission that they have no legitimate
interest in the domain names). Further, Do The Hustle, LLC v. Tropic Web,
D2000-0624 (WIPO Aug. 21, 2000) states that when "the complainant has
made a prima facie showing, the burden of production shifts to the
respondent to show by providing concrete evidence that it has rights to or
legitimate interest in the domain name at issue."
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vi.
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Respondent
is using (some or all of) the Disputed Domain Name(s) to redirect
unsuspecting Internet users to a website featuring generic links to
third-party websites, some of which directly compete with Complainant's
business. Presumably, Respondent receives pay-per-click fees from these
linked websites. As such, Respondent is not using the Disputed Domain
Name(s) to provide a bona fide offering of goods or services as allowed
under Policy; 4(c)(i), nor a legitimate noncommercial or fair use as
allowed under Policy; 4(c)(iii). See 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc. v.
24HourNames.com-Quality Domains For Sale, FA 187429 (Nat. Arb. Forum
Sep. 26, 2003) (holding that Respondent's use of the 24hrsfitness.com.gt,
24-hourfitness.com.gt and 24hoursfitness.com.gt, domain names to redirect
Internet users to a website featuring advertisements and links to
Complainant's competitors could not be considered a bona fide offering of
goods or services or a legitimate noncommercial or fair use); see also
Computer Doctor Franchise Sys., Inc. v. Computer Doctor, FA 95396 (Nat.
Arb. Forum Sept. 8, 2000) (finding that the respondent's website, which is
blank but for links to other websites, is not a legitimate use of the
domain names).
See Exhibit H for screenshot(s) of the
website(s) reachable through the Disputed Domain Name(s).
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vii.
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The
earliest date on which Respondent registered the Disputed Domain Name(s)
was January 5, 2006, for LENNOVO.COM, which is significantly after
Complainant's first use of the LENOVO mark in commerce, May 1, 2005, as
specified in their relevant registration with the USPTO.
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viii.
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The
earliest date on which Respondent registered the Disputed Domain Name(s)
was January 5, 2006, for LENNOVO.COM, which is significantly after
Complainant's registration of the LENOVO Mark on March 15, 2004, as
specified in their relevant registration in the Republic of China.
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ix.
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The
earliest date on which Respondent registered the Disputed Domain Name(s)
was January 5, 2006, for LENNOVO.COM, which is significantly after
Complainant's registration of LENOVO.COM on September 5, 2002.
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[c.]
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The
Disputed Domain Name(s) should be considered as having been registered and
being used in bad faith for the following reasons:
i.
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Respondent's
typosquatting behavior is, in and of itself, evidence of bad faith. See Canadian
Tire Corp. v. domain adm'r no.valid.email@worldnic.net 1111111111,
D2003-0232 (WIPO May 22, 2003) (finding the respondent registered and used
the domain name in bad faith because the respondent created a likelihood of
confusion with the complainant's mark as to the source, sponsorship,
affiliation, or endorsement of the Respondent's web site or location'.. .
through Respondent's persistent practice of 'typosquatting'"); see
also Nat'l Ass'n of Prof'l Baseball League, Inc. v. Zuccarini,
D2002-1011 (WIPO Jan. 21, 2003) ("Typosquatting ... is the intentional
misspelling of words with [the] intent to intercept and siphon off traffic
from its intended destination, by preying on Internauts who make common
typing errors. Typosquatting is inherently parasitic and of itself evidence
of bad faith.").
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ii.
iii.
iv.
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Respondent's
bad faith is further shown by the Respondent using the Disputed Domain
Name(s) website in connection with generating revenue as a "click
through" website by using the Complainant's registered trademark(s)
and providing links to the services and products offered by the Complainant
to take advantage of Complainant's well known mark to achieve a wrongful
competitive advantage and commercial gain. In WIPO Decision D2008-1470, AIDA
Cruises German Branch of Societa di Crociere MercurioS.r.l., v. Caribbean
Online International Ltd. / Belgium Domains "the Panel finds that
the Respondent registered and is using the disputed domain name for the
purposes of commercial gain by offering links to other companies' websites
related to cruises and travels, in the form of a "clickthrough"
website. In similar cases, many prior panel decisions have recognised [sic]
that the registration of domain names to be used in a
"click-through" website has to be considered as an evidence of
bad faith (see, e.g. Abercrombie & Fitch Trading Co. v. Digi
Real Estate Foundation., WIPO Case No. D2007-0440; Early Times
Distillers Company v. IP Admin / DNAV ASSOCS, WIPO Case No. D2007-1812;
HBOS Plc v. Whois Protection, WIPO Case No. D2007-1605)".
To
further stress the above, Respondent’s setting up of a “click through”
website for which it likely receives revenue for each misdirected Internet
user obviously demonstrates Respondent’s bad faith. The Respondent has
registered and used the Disputed Domain Name(s) in bad faith pursuant to
Policy ¶4(b)(iv) by using the Disputed Domain Name(s) to attract and
mislead consumers for its own profit. See Univ. of Houston Sys. v.
Salvia Corp., FA 637920 (Nat. Arb. Forum Mar. 21, 2006) (“Respondent is
using the disputed domain name to operate a website which features links to
competing and non-competing commercial websites from which Respondent
presumably receives referral fees. Such use for Respondent’s own
commercial gain is evidence of bad faith registration and use pursuant to
Policy ¶4(b)(iv).”); see also Zee TV USA, Inc. v. Siddiqi, FA 721969
(Nat. Arb. Forum July 18, 2006) (finding that the respondent engaged in bad
faith registration and use by using a domain name that was confusingly
similar to the complainant’s mark to offer links to third-party websites that
offered services similar to those offered by the complainant). See also Meadowbrook,
L.L.C. d/b/a The Land of Nod v. Venkateshwara Distributor Private Limited,
Claim Number: FA1112001419361 and Charlotte Russe Merchandising, Inc. v.
Private Registrations Aktien Gesellschaft / Domain Admin, Claim Number:
FA1204001439309, where the same behavior of bad faith is demonstrated and
agreed by the panel, pursuant to Policy ¶4(b)(iv).
In
addition to the above, the Respondent’s advertised pay-per-click links displayed
on the resolving websites promotes products that compete with Complainant.
These links therefore divert potential customers away from Complainant to
third-party websites, which disrupts Complainant’s business. The Panel
should find that this effort to divert consumers and disrupt Complainant’s
business is evidence of bad faith registration and use under Policy ¶4(b)(iii).
See Am. Airlines, Inc. v. Tex. Int’l Prop. Assoc., FA 914854 (Nat.
Arb. Forum Apr. 10, 2007) (holding that where the respondent’s website
featured hyperlinks to competing websites and included a link to the
complainant’s website, the respondent’s use of the
<redeemaamiles.com> domain name constituted disruption under Policy ¶4(b)(iii)).
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v.
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The
Respondent has also listed the Disputed Domain Name(s) for sale. As shown
in WIPO Decision D2001-1066, Trip.com, Inc. v. Daniel Deamone,
"A fourth factor is that Respondent has offered the Domain Name for
sale to the public. There is nothing inherently wrongful in the offer or
sale of domain names, without more, such as to justify a finding of bad
faith under the Policy. However, the fact that domain name registrants may
legitimately and in good faith sell domain names does not imply a right in
such registrants to sell domain names that are identical or confusingly
similar to trademarks or service marks of others without their consent.
Although Respondent's offer of the Disputed Domain Name(s) for sale was not
made specifically to Complainant or its competitor, offers for sale to the
public may nevertheless constitute evidence of bad faith under the
Policy." The offering for sale of a domain name, even to a third
party, supports bad faith. See Policy, Paragraph 4(b); Sporty's Farm
L.L.C. v. Sportsman's Market, Inc., 202 F.3d 489 (2d Cir. 2000); Porsche
Cars North America, Inc. v. Spencer, 55 U.S.P.Q.2d 1027 (E.D. Cal.
2000); Morrison & Foerster LLP v. Wick, 94 F. Supp.2d 1125 (D.
Colo. 2000). See also WIPO Case No. D2003-0689, Mr. Donning Eric v. Mr.
Nyunhwa Jung,..."The posting of the announcement: "This
domain is for SALE!" constitutes satisfactory evidence, when combined
with the Respondent's lack of legitimate rights to or interests in the
domain name, that the Respondent's primary purpose in registering the
domain name was to sell it in contravention of the Policy (EFG Bank
European Financial Group SA v. Jacob Foundation, WIPO Case No.
D2000-0036).
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vi.
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Respondent
has caused the website(s) reachable by (some or all of) the Disputed Domain
Name(s) to display Complainant's Mark(s) spelled correctly (even though the
domain name(s) (is/are) a misspelled version of the same mark(s)). This
serves as further evidence of bad faith intent because it removes any doubt
as to whether or not the misspelling was intentionally designed to
improperly capitalize on Complainant's famous Mark(s).
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vii.
viii.
ix.
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Respondent
has caused the websites reachable by (some or all of) the Disputed Domain
Name(s) to display content and/or keywords directly related to
Complainant's business. This serves as further evidence of bad faith intent
because it removes any doubt as to whether or not the misspelling was
intentionally designed to improperly capitalize on Complainant's famous
Mark and its related business.
Respondent
is a recalcitrant, serial cybersquatter / typosquatter. Searches through
the NAF and WIPO UDRP decision databases reveal that Respondent has engaged
in an ongoing pattern of such behavior. Previous panels have agreed that
multiple prior UDRP decisions are sufficient evidence indicating a respondent’s
bad faith use and registration. See TRAVELOCITY.COM LP v. Aziz, FA
1260783 (Nat. Arb. Forum June 16, 2009) (“These previous [UDRP] decisions
demonstrate a pattern of bad faith registration and use of domain names
under Policy ¶4(b)(ii).”).
Respondent
holds registrations on other domain names that appear to be straightforward
examples of typosquatting. Although those names are not directly involved
in this complaint, they serve as further evidence of bad faith intent on
the part of Respondent. See Policy, 4(b)(ii) and Time Warner Inc. v.
Zone MP3, NAF Claim No. FA0706001008035 (typosquatting combined with
registration of as few as four domain names that are identical or
confusingly similar to "protected marks" is sufficient to
establish a pattern leading to bad
faith). See also Citigroup Inc. v. Digi Real Estate Foundation, NAF
Claim No.
FA0704000964679.
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B.
Respondent
Respondent
failed to submit a Response in this proceeding.
FINDINGS
(1)
the
domain name registered by Respondent is identical or confusingly similar to a
trademark or service mark in which Complainant has rights; and
(2)
Respondent
has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name; and
(3)
the
domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith.
DISCUSSION
Paragraph
15(a) of the Rules instructs this Panel to "decide a complaint on the
basis of the statements and documents submitted in accordance with the Policy,
these Rules and any rules and principles of law that it deems applicable."
Paragraph
4(a) of the Policy requires Complainant prove the following three elements to
obtain an order cancelling or transferring a domain name:
(1)
the
domain name registered by Respondent is identical or confusingly similar to a
trademark or service mark in which Complainant has rights; and
(2)
Respondent
has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name; and
(3)
the
domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith.
In
view of Respondent's failure to submit a response, the Panel shall decide this
administrative proceeding on the basis of Complainant's undisputed
representations pursuant to paragraphs 5(e), 14(a) and 15(a) of the Rules and
draw such inferences it considers appropriate pursuant to paragraph 14(b) of
the Rules. The Panel is entitled to accept all reasonable allegations and
inferences set forth in the Complaint as true unless the evidence is clearly
contradictory. See Vertical Solutions Mgmt., Inc. v.
webnet-marketing, inc., FA 95095 (Nat. Arb. Forum July 31, 2000) (holding
that the respondent’s failure to respond allows all reasonable inferences of
fact in the allegations of the complaint to be deemed true); see also Talk
City, Inc. v. Robertson, D2000-0009 (WIPO Feb. 29, 2000) (“In the absence
of a response, it is appropriate to accept as true all allegations of the
Complaint.”).
Identical
and/or Confusingly Similar
Complainant
uses the LENOVO mark to identify its computer hardware, computer software, and
electronic component business. The LENOVO mark has been registered with a
variety of national trademark registrars, including the United States Patent
and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) (e.g., Reg. No. 3,149,377, registered
Sept. 26, 2006, filed Feb. 20, 2003). A USPTO registration satisfies Policy ¶4(a)(i)’s
required showing of rights in a trademark. See Hershey Co. v. Reaves,
FA 967818 (Nat. Arb. Forum June 8, 2007) (finding that the complainant’s rights
in the KISSES trademark through registration of the mark with the USPTO “date
back to the filing date of the trademark application and predate [the]
respondent’s registration”). At this stage of a Proceeding, Complainant need
only show it has some rights to the mark somewhere, not
that Complainant’s rights are superior to Respondent’s rights.
Complainant
claims the <lennovo.com>, <lenoveo.com>, and <lenvovo.com>
domain names all include common misspellings of the LENOVO mark. Each of the
domain names varies from the mark by (1) adding the gTLD “.com,” and (2) adding
an extraneous character into the mark itself. A gTLD and ccTLD must be ignored
when considering if the mark and the disputed domain name are confusingly similar
because domain name syntax requires a gTLD or a ccTLD. To hold
otherwise would be to eviscerate the UDRP because a mark could almost never be
confusingly similar to a domain name. Changing a single letter is also not normally
sufficient to distinguish Respondent’s domain name from Complainant’s mark under
Policy ¶4(a)(i). See, e.g., Am. Online, Inc. v. Amigos On Line
RJ, FA 115041 (Nat. Arb. Forum Aug. 28, 2002) (finding that the
<aolrj.com> domain name was confusingly similar to the complainant’s AOL
mark because “…the addition of a string of indiscriminate letters to a famous
mark in a second level domain does not differentiate the domain name from the
mark.”).
The
Panel finds Policy ¶4(a)(i) satisfied.
Rights or
Legitimate Interests
Complainant
must first make a prima facie case Respondent lacks rights and
legitimate interests in the disputed domain name under Policy ¶4(a)(ii). Then
the burden shifts to Respondent to show it has rights or legitimate interests.
See Hanna-Barbera Prods., Inc. v. Entm’t Commentaries, FA 741828 (Nat.
Arb. Forum Aug. 18, 2006) (holding that the complainant must first make a prima
facie case that the respondent lacks rights and legitimate interests in the
disputed domain name under UDRP ¶4(a)(ii) before the burden shifts to the
respondent to show that it does have rights or legitimate interests in a domain
name); see also AOL LLC v. Gerberg, FA 780200 (Nat. Arb. Forum Sept. 25,
2006) (“Complainant must first make a prima facie showing that Respondent does
not have rights or legitimate interest in the subject domain names, which
burden is light. If Complainant satisfies its burden, then the burden shifts
to Respondent to show that it does have rights or legitimate interests in the
subject domain names.”).
Respondent’s WHOIS information suggests Respondent has never
been commonly known by any of the domain names. “Domain Admin / Private
Registrations Aktien Gesellschaft” is listed as the registrant of record for
all of the domain names. Respondent has not contended it is commonly known by
the disputed domain names. Based upon this evidence, it seems clear Respondent
is not known by these disputed domain names under Policy ¶4(c)(ii). See St. Lawrence Univ. v.
Nextnet Tech,
FA 881234 (Nat. Arb. Forum Feb. 21, 2007) (concluding a respondent has no
rights or legitimate interests in a disputed domain name where there was no
evidence in the record indicating that the respondent was commonly known by the
disputed domain name).
Complainant claims all of the <lennovo.com>,
<lenoveo.com>, and <lenvovo.com> domain names resolve
to parking pages with hyperlink advertising. The domain names resolve to pages
with advertisements the likes of “Cheap Lenovo,” “Top 7 Laptops Sale,” and
other such unrelated ads like “Senior Safe Walk-In Tubs.” Advertising a link to
a walk-in bathtub or Complainant’s goods is not a Policy ¶4(c)(i) bona fide
offering, or Policy ¶4(c)(iii) legitimate noncommercial or fair use. See
Bank of Am.
Corp. v. Nw. Free Cmty. Access,
FA 180704 (Nat. Arb. Forum Sept. 30, 2003) (“Respondent’s demonstrated intent
to divert Internet users seeking Complainant’s website to a website of
Respondent and for Respondent’s benefit is not a bona fide offering of
goods or services under Policy ¶4(c)(i) and it is not a legitimate
noncommercial or fair use under Policy ¶4(c)(iii).”).
Respondent registered the disputed domain names using a
privacy service. This means the real party in interest does not publicly associate
itself with the disputed domain names. The registrant/nominee (who is publicly
associated with the disputed domain names) does not control the domain names.
Therefore, Respondent does not obtain any rights by merely registering the
disputed domain names.
The
Panel finds Policy ¶4(a)(ii) satisfied.
Registration
and Use in Bad Faith
Complainant claims Respondent is listing the domain
names for sale and has submitted evidence of that fact. The WHOIS information
lists a notice the domain names are available for purchase. This is adequate
evidence of Respondent’s intent to wrongfully sell the domain names under
Policy ¶4(b)(i). See Pocatello
Idaho Auditorium Dist. v. CES Mktg. Group, Inc., FA 103186 (Nat. Arb.
Forum Feb. 21, 2002) ("[w]hat makes an offer to sell a domain [name] bad
faith is some accompanying evidence that the domain name was registered because
of its value that is in some way dependent on the trademark of another, and
then an offer to sell it to the trademark owner or a competitor of the
trademark owner"). The Panel finds
bad faith registration and use based upon this evidence.
Complainant claims Respondent has a history of bad faith
registration and is a repeat bad faith registrant. While this has a simplistic
logic to it, the Panel is not persuaded. To agree with Complainant would
undermine the integrity of the UDRP process. Each registrant is entitled to
have its case determined on the merits. Some registrants will have a weak case
and their next case may be a strong case. There is no reason to penalize them
because their last case was a weak (or losing case). A privacy service will be
a more frequent respondent in a UDRP proceeding even if only because 15% of all
domain names are registered using a privacy service (it should be noted this
Respondent is a privacy service). Just because a registrant is a privacy
service does not mean it should automatically lose. That would be grossly
unfair and has no basis in the UDRP.
This Panel has adopted a rebuttable presumption that a domain
name registered using a privacy service was registered and used in bad faith in
a commercial context. This is a rebuttable presumption, which means a
Respondent may overcome it. It does not apply in personal or political
contexts, where this Panel can see a genuine need for anonymity. This case is
a commercial case. Respondent has done nothing to rebut the presumption.
Therefore, this Panel finds bad faith registration and use based upon this fact
alone.
Complainant claims Respondent is disrupting
Complainant’s business through its use of the domain names. Some of the
advertisements on the parking page include promotions for the sale of laptop
computers. Such advertisements clearly compete with Complainant. Respondent
has disrupted Complainant’s business in Policy ¶4(b)(iii) bad faith. See
Univ. of
Texas Sys. v. Smith,
FA 1195696 (Nat. Arb. Forum July 7, 2008) (finding that using the resolving
website to divert Internet users to the complainant’s competitors constituted
bad faith registration and use under Policy ¶4(b)(iii)).
Complainant claims there is a likelihood of confusion as
between Respondent’s content on the disputed domain names and Complainant’s
LENOVO brand, a likelihood through which Respondent may profit. The domain
names are used to promote the sale of various goods, including laptop
computers. Presumably Respondent gets paid for this, either in cash or in kind (by
getting free parking). This advertising suggests Respondent intended to profit
from Internet users’ confusion in violation of Policy ¶4(b)(iv). See Allianz
of Am. Corp. v. Bond, FA 680624 (Nat. Arb. Forum June 2, 2006)
(finding bad faith registration and use under Policy ¶4(b)(iv) where the
respondent was diverting Internet users searching for the complainant to its
own website and likely profiting).
The
Panel finds Policy ¶4(a)(iii) satisfied.
DECISION
Having
established all three elements required under the ICANN Policy, the Panel
concludes relief shall be GRANTED.
Accordingly,
it is Ordered the <lennovo.com>, <lenoveo.com>, and <lenvovo.com>
domain names be TRANSFERRED from Respondent to Complainant.
Houston Putnam Lowry,
Chartered Arbitrator, Panelist
Dated: Wednesday, December
10, 2014