State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Company v Unasi, Inc.
Claim
Number: FA0507000521055
Complainant is State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Company (“Complainant”),
represented by Janice K. Forrest, One State Farm Plaza, A-3,
Bloomington, IL 61710. Respondent is Unasi Inc. (“Respondent”), Galerias
Alvear 3, Zona 5, Panama 5235, Panama.
REGISTRAR
AND DISPUTED DOMAIN NAMES
The
domain names at issue are <statefarmibnsurance.com>,
<statefarmihnsurance.com>, <statefarmihsurance.com>,
<statefarmijnsurance.com>, <statefarmijsurance.com>,
<statefarmiknsurance.com>, <statefarmimnsurance.com>,
<statefarminbsurance.com>, <statefarminhsurance.com>,
<statefarminjsurance.com>, <statefarminmsurance.com>,
<statefarminrance.com>, <statefarminsjrance.com>,
<statefarminsjurance.com>, <statefarminsrace.com>,
<statefarminsranc.com>, <statefarminsrane.com>,
<statefarminsrnce.com>, <statefarminsuace.com>,
<statefarminsuanc.com>, <statefarminsuane.com>,
<statefarminsudance.com>, <statefarminsufance.com>,
<statefarminsufrance.com>, <statefarminsujrance.com>,
<statefarminsunce.com>, <statefarminsurabnce.com>,
<statefarminsurac.com>, <statefarminsurae.com>,
<statefarminsurahce.com>, <statefarminsurahnce.com>,
<statefarminsurajce.com>, <statefarminsurajnce.com>,
<statefarminsuran.com>, <statefarminsurancde.com>,
<statefarminsurancecom.com>, <statefarminsuranced.com>,
<statefarminsurancee.com>, <statefarminsurancer.com>,
<statefarminsurancew.com>, <statefarminsurancre.com>, <statefarminsurancs.com>,
<statefarminsurancse.com>, <statefarminsurancwe.com>,
<statefarminsuranhce.com>, <statefarminsuranjce.com>,
<statefarminsurannce.com>, <statefarminsuraqnce.com>,
<statefarminsurasnce.com>, <statefarminsuraznce.com>,
<statefarminsurce.com>, <statefarminsurdance.com>,
<statefarminsurfance.com>, <statefarminsurnc.com>,
<statefarminsurne.com>, <statefarminsurqance.com>,
<statefarminsurqnce.com>, <statefarminsurzance.com>,
<statefarminsurznce.com>, <statefarminswurance.com>,
<statefarminuance.com>, <statefarminurace.com>,
<statefarminuranc.com>, <statefarminurane.com>,
<statefarminurnce.com>, <statefarminwsurance.com>,
<statefarminwurance.com>, <statefarmionsurance.com>,
<statefarmisrance.com>, <statefarmisuance.com>,
<statefarmisurace.com>, <statefarmisuranc.com>,
<statefarmisurane.com>, <statefarmisurnce.com>,
<statefarmiunsurance.com>, <statefarmiurance.com>,
<statefarmjinsurance.com>, <statefarmkinsurance.com>,
<statefarmnsrance.com>, <statefarmnsuance.com>,
<statefarmnsurace.com>, <statefarmnsuranc.com>,
<statefarmnsurane.com>, <statefarmnsurnce.com>,
<statefarmnurance.com>, <statefarmoinsurance.com>,
<statefarmuinsurance.com>, <statefarnsurance.com>,
<wstatefarminsurance.com>, and <www-statefarminsurance.com>,
registered with Iholdings.com, Inc. d/b/a Dotregistrar.com.
The
undersigned certifies that he has acted independently and impartially and to
the best of his knowledge has no known conflict in serving as Panelist in this
proceeding.
John
J. Upchurch as Panelist.
Complainant
submitted a Complaint to the National Arbitration Forum electronically on July
20, 2005; the National Arbitration Forum received a hard copy of the Complaint
on July 25, 2005.
On
July 22, 2005, Iholdings.com, Inc. d/b/a Dotregistrar.com confirmed by e-mail
to the National Arbitration Forum that the <statefarmibnsurance.com>,
<statefarmihnsurance.com>, <statefarmihsurance.com>,
<statefarmijnsurance.com>, <statefarmijsurance.com>,
<statefarmiknsurance.com>, <statefarmimnsurance.com>, <statefarminbsurance.com>,
<statefarminhsurance.com>, <statefarminjsurance.com>,
<statefarminmsurance.com>, <statefarminrance.com>,
<statefarminsjrance.com>, <statefarminsjurance.com>,
<statefarminsrace.com>, <statefarminsranc.com>,
<statefarminsrane.com>, <statefarminsrnce.com>,
<statefarminsuace.com>, <statefarminsuanc.com>,
<statefarminsuane.com>, <statefarminsudance.com>,
<statefarminsufance.com>, <statefarminsufrance.com>,
<statefarminsujrance.com>, <statefarminsunce.com>,
<statefarminsurabnce.com>, <statefarminsurac.com>,
<statefarminsurae.com>, <statefarminsurahce.com>,
<statefarminsurahnce.com>, <statefarminsurajce.com>,
<statefarminsurajnce.com>, <statefarminsuran.com>,
<statefarminsurancde.com>, <statefarminsurancecom.com>,
<statefarminsuranced.com>, <statefarminsurancee.com>,
<statefarminsurancer.com>, <statefarminsurancew.com>,
<statefarminsurancre.com>, <statefarminsurancs.com>,
<statefarminsurancse.com>, <statefarminsurancwe.com>,
<statefarminsuranhce.com>, <statefarminsuranjce.com>,
<statefarminsurannce.com>, <statefarminsuraqnce.com>,
<statefarminsurasnce.com>, <statefarminsuraznce.com>,
<statefarminsurce.com>, <statefarminsurdance.com>,
<statefarminsurfance.com>, <statefarminsurnc.com>,
<statefarminsurne.com>, <statefarminsurqance.com>,
<statefarminsurqnce.com>, <statefarminsurzance.com>,
<statefarminsurznce.com>, <statefarminswurance.com>,
<statefarminuance.com>, <statefarminurace.com>,
<statefarminuranc.com>, <statefarminurane.com>,
<statefarminurnce.com>, <statefarminwsurance.com>,
<statefarminwurance.com>, <statefarmionsurance.com>,
<statefarmisrance.com>, <statefarmisuance.com>,
<statefarmisurace.com>, <statefarmisuranc.com>,
<statefarmisurane.com>, <statefarmisurnce.com>,
<statefarmiunsurance.com>, <statefarmiurance.com>,
<statefarmjinsurance.com>, <statefarmkinsurance.com>,
<statefarmnsrance.com>, <statefarmnsuance.com>,
<statefarmnsurace.com>, <statefarmnsuranc.com>,
<statefarmnsurane.com>, <statefarmnsurnce.com>,
<statefarmnurance.com>, <statefarmoinsurance.com>,
<statefarmuinsurance.com>, <statefarnsurance.com>,
<wstatefarminsurance.com>, and <www-statefarminsurance.com>
domain names are registered with Iholdings.com, Inc. d/b/a Dotregistrar.com and
that Respondent is the current registrant of the names. Iholdings.com, Inc.
d/b/a Dotregistrar.com has verified that Respondent is bound by the Iholdings.com,
Inc. d/b/a Dotregistrar.com registration agreement and has thereby agreed to
resolve domain-name disputes brought by third parties in accordance with
ICANN's Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Policy").
On July 26, 2005,
a Notification of Complaint and Commencement of Administrative Proceeding (the
"Commencement Notification"), setting a deadline of August 15, 2005
by which Respondent could file a response to the Complaint, was transmitted to
Respondent via e-mail, post and fax, to all entities and persons listed on
Respondent's registration as technical, administrative and billing contacts,
and to postmaster@statefarmibnsurance.com, postmaster@statefarmihnsurance.com,
postmaster@statefarmihsurance.com, postmaster@statefarmijnsurance.com,
postmaster@statefarmijsurance.com, postmaster@statefarmiknsurance.com,
postmaster@statefarmimnsurance.com, postmaster@statefarminbsurance.com,
postmaster@statefarminhsurance.com, postmaster@statefarminjsurance.com,
postmaster@statefarminmsurance.com, postmaster@statefarminrance.com,
postmaster@statefarminsjrance.com, postmaster@statefarminsjurance.com,
postmaster@statefarminsrace.com, postmaster@statefarminsranc.com,
postmaster@statefarminsrane.com, postmaster@statefarminsrnce.com,
postmaster@statefarminsuace.com, postmaster@statefarminsuanc.com,
postmaster@statefarminsuane.com, postmaster@statefarminsudance.com,
postmaster@statefarminsufance.com, postmaster@statefarminsufrance.com,
postmaster@statefarminsujrance.com, postmaster@statefarminsunce.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurabnce.com, postmaster@statefarminsurac.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurae.com, postmaster@statefarminsurahce.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurahnce.com, postmaster@statefarminsurajce.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurajnce.com, postmaster@statefarminsuran.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurancde.com, postmaster@statefarminsurancecom.com,
postmaster@statefarminsuranced.com, postmaster@statefarminsurancee.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurancer.com, postmaster@statefarminsurancew.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurancre.com, postmaster@statefarminsurancs.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurancse.com, postmaster@statefarminsurancwe.com,
postmaster@statefarminsuranhce.com, postmaster@statefarminsuranjce.com, postmaster@statefarminsurannce.com,
postmaster@statefarminsuraqnce.com, postmaster@statefarminsurasnce.com,
postmaster@statefarminsuraznce.com, postmaster@statefarminsurce.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurdance.com, postmaster@statefarminsurfance.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurnc.com, postmaster@statefarminsurne.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurqance.com, postmaster@statefarminsurqnce.com,
postmaster@statefarminsurzance.com, postmaster@statefarminsurznce.com,
postmaster@statefarminswurance.com, postmaster@statefarminuance.com,
postmaster@statefarminurace.com, postmaster@statefarminuranc.com,
postmaster@statefarminurane.com, postmaster@statefarminurnce.com,
postmaster@statefarminwsurance.com, postmaster@statefarminwurance.com,
postmaster@statefarmionsurance.com, postmaster@statefarmisrance.com,
postmaster@statefarmisuance.com, postmaster@statefarmisurace.com,
postmaster@statefarmisuranc.com, postmaster@statefarmisurane.com,
postmaster@statefarmisurnce.com, postmaster@statefarmiunsurance.com,
postmaster@statefarmiurance.com, postmaster@statefarmjinsurance.com,
postmaster@statefarmkinsurance.com, postmaster@statefarmnsrance.com,
postmaster@statefarmnsuance.com, postmaster@statefarmnsurace.com,
postmaster@statefarmnsuranc.com, postmaster@statefarmnsurane.com,
postmaster@statefarmnsurnce.com, postmaster@statefarmnurance.com,
postmaster@statefarmoinsurance.com, postmaster@statefarmuinsurance.com,
postmaster@statefarnsurance.com, postmaster@wstatefarminsurance.com, and
postmaster@www-statefarminsurance.com
by
e-mail.
Having
received no response from Respondent, the National Arbitration Forum
transmitted to the parties a Notification of Respondent Default.
On
August 23, 2005, pursuant to Complainant's request to have the dispute decided
by a single-member Panel, the National Arbitration Forum appointed John J.
Upchurch 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." 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.
Complainant
requests that the domain names be transferred from Respondent to Complainant.
A. Complainant makes the following assertions:
1. Respondent’s <statefarmibnsurance.com>,
<statefarmihnsurance.com>, <statefarmihsurance.com>,
<statefarmijnsurance.com>, <statefarmijsurance.com>,
<statefarmiknsurance.com>, <statefarmimnsurance.com>,
<statefarminbsurance.com>, <statefarminhsurance.com>,
<statefarminjsurance.com>, <statefarminmsurance.com>,
<statefarminrance.com>, <statefarminsjrance.com>,
<statefarminsjurance.com>, <statefarminsrace.com>,
<statefarminsranc.com>, <statefarminsrane.com>,
<statefarminsrnce.com>, <statefarminsuace.com>,
<statefarminsuanc.com>, <statefarminsuane.com>,
<statefarminsudance.com>, <statefarminsufance.com>,
<statefarminsufrance.com>, <statefarminsujrance.com>,
<statefarminsunce.com>, <statefarminsurabnce.com>,
<statefarminsurac.com>, <statefarminsurae.com>,
<statefarminsurahce.com>, <statefarminsurahnce.com>,
<statefarminsurajce.com>, <statefarminsurajnce.com>,
<statefarminsuran.com>, <statefarminsurancde.com>,
<statefarminsurancecom.com>, <statefarminsuranced.com>,
<statefarminsurancee.com>, <statefarminsurancer.com>,
<statefarminsurancew.com>, <statefarminsurancre.com>,
<statefarminsurancs.com>, <statefarminsurancse.com>,
<statefarminsurancwe.com>, <statefarminsuranhce.com>,
<statefarminsuranjce.com>, <statefarminsurannce.com>,
<statefarminsuraqnce.com>, <statefarminsurasnce.com>,
<statefarminsuraznce.com>, <statefarminsurce.com>,
<statefarminsurdance.com>, <statefarminsurfance.com>,
<statefarminsurnc.com>, <statefarminsurne.com>,
<statefarminsurqance.com>, <statefarminsurqnce.com>,
<statefarminsurzance.com>, <statefarminsurznce.com>,
<statefarminswurance.com>, <statefarminuance.com>,
<statefarminurace.com>, <statefarminuranc.com>,
<statefarminurane.com>, <statefarminurnce.com>,
<statefarminwsurance.com>, <statefarminwurance.com>,
<statefarmionsurance.com>, <statefarmisrance.com>,
<statefarmisuance.com>, <statefarmisurace.com>,
<statefarmisuranc.com>, <statefarmisurane.com>,
<statefarmisurnce.com>, <statefarmiunsurance.com>,
<statefarmiurance.com>, <statefarmjinsurance.com>,
<statefarmkinsurance.com>, <statefarmnsrance.com>,
<statefarmnsuance.com>, <statefarmnsurace.com>,
<statefarmnsuranc.com>, <statefarmnsurane.com>,
<statefarmnsurnce.com>, <statefarmnurance.com>,
<statefarmoinsurance.com>, <statefarmuinsurance.com>,
<statefarnsurance.com>, <wstatefarminsurance.com>, and
<www-statefarminsurance.com> domain names are confusingly similar to
Complainant’s STATE FARM mark.
Respondent
does not have any rights or legitimate interests in the <statefarmibnsurance.com>,
<statefarmihnsurance.com>, <statefarmihsurance.com>,
<statefarmijnsurance.com>, <statefarmijsurance.com>,
<statefarmiknsurance.com>, <statefarmimnsurance.com>,
<statefarminbsurance.com>, <statefarminhsurance.com>,
<statefarminjsurance.com>, <statefarminmsurance.com>,
<statefarminrance.com>, <statefarminsjrance.com>,
<statefarminsjurance.com>, <statefarminsrace.com>,
<statefarminsranc.com>, <statefarminsrane.com>,
<statefarminsrnce.com>, <statefarminsuace.com>,
<statefarminsuanc.com>, <statefarminsuane.com>,
<statefarminsudance.com>, <statefarminsufance.com>,
<statefarminsufrance.com>, <statefarminsujrance.com>,
<statefarminsunce.com>, <statefarminsurabnce.com>,
<statefarminsurac.com>, <statefarminsurae.com>,
<statefarminsurahce.com>, <statefarminsurahnce.com>,
<statefarminsurajce.com>, <statefarminsurajnce.com>,
<statefarminsuran.com>, <statefarminsurancde.com>,
<statefarminsurancecom.com>, <statefarminsuranced.com>,
<statefarminsurancee.com>, <statefarminsurancer.com>,
<statefarminsurancew.com>, <statefarminsurancre.com>,
<statefarminsurancs.com>, <statefarminsurancse.com>,
<statefarminsurancwe.com>, <statefarminsuranhce.com>,
<statefarminsuranjce.com>, <statefarminsurannce.com>,
<statefarminsuraqnce.com>, <statefarminsurasnce.com>,
<statefarminsuraznce.com>, <statefarminsurce.com>,
<statefarminsurdance.com>, <statefarminsurfance.com>,
<statefarminsurnc.com>, <statefarminsurne.com>,
<statefarminsurqance.com>, <statefarminsurqnce.com>,
<statefarminsurzance.com>, <statefarminsurznce.com>,
<statefarminswurance.com>, <statefarminuance.com>,
<statefarminurace.com>, <statefarminuranc.com>,
<statefarminurane.com>, <statefarminurnce.com>,
<statefarminwsurance.com>, <statefarminwurance.com>,
<statefarmionsurance.com>, <statefarmisrance.com>,
<statefarmisuance.com>, <statefarmisurace.com>,
<statefarmisuranc.com>, <statefarmisurane.com>,
<statefarmisurnce.com>, <statefarmiunsurance.com>,
<statefarmiurance.com>, <statefarmjinsurance.com>,
<statefarmkinsurance.com>, <statefarmnsrance.com>,
<statefarmnsuance.com>, <statefarmnsurace.com>,
<statefarmnsuranc.com>, <statefarmnsurane.com>,
<statefarmnsurnce.com>, <statefarmnurance.com>,
<statefarmoinsurance.com>, <statefarmuinsurance.com>,
<statefarnsurance.com>, <wstatefarminsurance.com>, and
<www-statefarminsurance.com> domain names.
Respondent registered and used the <statefarmibnsurance.com>,
<statefarmihnsurance.com>, <statefarmihsurance.com>,
<statefarmijnsurance.com>, <statefarmijsurance.com>,
<statefarmiknsurance.com>, <statefarmimnsurance.com>,
<statefarminbsurance.com>, <statefarminhsurance.com>,
<statefarminjsurance.com>, <statefarminmsurance.com>,
<statefarminrance.com>, <statefarminsjrance.com>,
<statefarminsjurance.com>, <statefarminsrace.com>,
<statefarminsranc.com>, <statefarminsrane.com>,
<statefarminsrnce.com>, <statefarminsuace.com>,
<statefarminsuanc.com>, <statefarminsuane.com>,
<statefarminsudance.com>, <statefarminsufance.com>,
<statefarminsufrance.com>, <statefarminsujrance.com>,
<statefarminsunce.com>, <statefarminsurabnce.com>,
<statefarminsurac.com>, <statefarminsurae.com>,
<statefarminsurahce.com>, <statefarminsurahnce.com>,
<statefarminsurajce.com>, <statefarminsurajnce.com>,
<statefarminsuran.com>, <statefarminsurancde.com>,
<statefarminsurancecom.com>, <statefarminsuranced.com>,
<statefarminsurancee.com>, <statefarminsurancer.com>,
<statefarminsurancew.com>, <statefarminsurancre.com>,
<statefarminsurancs.com>, <statefarminsurancse.com>,
<statefarminsurancwe.com>, <statefarminsuranhce.com>, <statefarminsuranjce.com>,
<statefarminsurannce.com>, <statefarminsuraqnce.com>,
<statefarminsurasnce.com>, <statefarminsuraznce.com>,
<statefarminsurce.com>, <statefarminsurdance.com>,
<statefarminsurfance.com>, <statefarminsurnc.com>,
<statefarminsurne.com>, <statefarminsurqance.com>,
<statefarminsurqnce.com>, <statefarminsurzance.com>,
<statefarminsurznce.com>, <statefarminswurance.com>,
<statefarminuance.com>, <statefarminurace.com>,
<statefarminuranc.com>, <statefarminurane.com>,
<statefarminurnce.com>, <statefarminwsurance.com>,
<statefarminwurance.com>, <statefarmionsurance.com>,
<statefarmisrance.com>, <statefarmisuance.com>,
<statefarmisurace.com>, <statefarmisuranc.com>,
<statefarmisurane.com>, <statefarmisurnce.com>,
<statefarmiunsurance.com>, <statefarmiurance.com>,
<statefarmjinsurance.com>, <statefarmkinsurance.com>,
<statefarmnsrance.com>, <statefarmnsuance.com>,
<statefarmnsurace.com>, <statefarmnsuranc.com>,
<statefarmnsurane.com>, <statefarmnsurnce.com>,
<statefarmnurance.com>, <statefarmoinsurance.com>,
<statefarmuinsurance.com>, <statefarnsurance.com>,
<wstatefarminsurance.com>, and <www-statefarminsurance.com>
domain names in bad faith.
B. Respondent failed to submit a Response in
this proceeding.
Complainant,
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, is a nationally known company
that has been doing business under the STATE FARM mark since 1930. Complainant is in the business of both the
insurance and the financial services industries.
Complainant
holds numerous trademark registrations with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office (“USPTO”) for the STATE FARM mark (E.g., Reg. No.
1,979,585 issued June 11, 1996).
Complainant
operates a website at the <statefarm.com> domain name, where it offers
detailed information relating to a variety of topics, including insurance and
financial service products, consumer information, and information about its
independent contractor agents.
Respondent
registered the disputed domain names on May 2, 2005. Respondent is using the disputed domain names to redirect
Internet users to websites featuring links to insurance related services in
direct competition with Complainant’s business.
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."
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.”).
Paragraph 4(a)
of the Policy requires that Complainant must prove each of the following three
elements to obtain an order that a domain name should be cancelled or
transferred:
(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.
Complainant
asserts that it has established rights in the STATE FARM mark through
registration with the USPTO. See
Vivendi Universal Games v. XBNetVentures Inc., FA 198803 (Nat. Arb. Forum
Nov. 11, 2003) (“Complainant's federal trademark registrations establish
Complainant's rights in the BLIZZARD mark.”); see
also Innomed Techs., Inc. v. DRP Servs., FA 221171 (Nat. Arb. Forum Feb.
18, 2004) (“Registration of the NASAL-AIRE mark with the USPTO establishes
Complainant's rights in the mark.”).
Respondent’s domain
names are confusingly similar to Complainant’s STATE FARM mark. Respondent’s domain names fully incorporate
Complainant’s mark, and only deviate with the addition of the generic top-level
domain (“gTLD”) “.com,” and a misspelled variation of the term “insurance,” a
term that is closely related to Complainant’s business. These additions to Complainant’s mark do not
distinguish the domain names pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(a)(i). See Oki Data Ams., Inc. v. ASD, Inc.,
D2001-0903 (WIPO Nov. 6, 2001) (“the fact that a domain name wholly
incorporates a Complainant’s registered mark is sufficient to establish
identity or confusing similarity for purposes of the Policy despite the
addition of other words to such marks”); see also Space
Imaging LLC v. Brownell, AF-0298
(eResolution Sept. 22, 2000) (finding confusing similarity where Respondent’s
domain name combines Complainant’s mark with a generic term that has an obvious
relationship to Complainant’s business); see also Victoria’s Secret v. Zuccarini, FA
95762 (Nat. Arb. Forum Nov. 18, 2000) (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 Complainant’s
marks).
The Panel finds
that Policy ¶ 4(a)(i) has been satisfied.
Complainant
asserts that Respondent does not have rights or legitimate interests in the
disputed domain names. When a
complainant establishes a prima facie case
pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(a)(ii), the burden shifts to the respondent to prove
that it has rights or legitimate interests.
Due to Respondent’s failure to respond to the Complaint, the Panel
infers that Respondent does not have rights or legitimate interests in the
disputed domain names. See Do The Hustle, LLC v. Tropic Web,
D2000-0624 (WIPO Aug. 21, 2000) (finding that once the complainant asserts that
the respondent does not have rights or legitimate interests with respect to the
domain, the burden shifts to the respondent to provide credible evidence that
substantiates its claim of rights or legitimate interests in the domain name); see also Clerical Med. Inv. Group Ltd. v.
Clericalmedical.com, D2000-1228 (WIPO Nov. 28, 2000) (finding that, under
certain circumstances, the mere assertion by the complainant that the
respondent does not have rights or legitimate interests is sufficient to shift
the burden of proof to the respondent to demonstrate that such rights or
legitimate interests do exist); see also
Parfums Christian Dior v. QTR Corp., D2000-0023 (WIPO Mar. 9, 2000)
(finding that by not submitting a response, the respondent has failed to invoke
any circumstance which could demonstrate any rights or legitimate interests in
the domain name).
Moreover,
Respondent is not commonly known by the disputed domain names. Thus, the Panel may conclude that Respondent
has not established rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain names
pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(c)(ii). See Compagnie de Saint Gobain v. Com-Union Corp.,
D2000-0020 (WIPO Mar. 14, 2000) (finding no rights or legitimate interest where
respondent was not commonly known by the mark and never applied for a license
or permission from complainant to use the trademarked name); see also Broadcom Corp. v. Intellifone Corp., FA
96356 (Nat. Arb. Forum Feb. 5, 2001) (finding no rights or legitimate interests
because respondent is not commonly known by the disputed domain name or using
the domain name in connection with a legitimate or fair use); see also Hartford Fire Ins. Co. v. Webdeal.com, Inc.,
FA 95162 (Nat. Arb. Forum Aug. 29, 2000) (finding that the respondent has no
rights or legitimate interests in domain names because it is not commonly known
by the complainant’s marks and the respondent has not used the domain names in
connection with a bona fide offering of goods and services or for a
legitimate noncommercial or fair use).
Furthermore,
Respondent is using the disputed domain names to redirect Internet users to a
website featuring links to insurance related services in direct competition
with Complainant’s business.
Respondent’s use of a domain name that is confusingly similar to
Complainant’s STATE FARM mark to redirect Internet users to a website featuring
links to insurance related services in direct competition with Complainant’s
business is not a use in connection with a bona fide offering of goods
or services pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(c)(i), nor is it a legitimate noncommercial
or fair use of the domain names pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(c)(iii). See
Computerized Sec. Sys., Inc. v. Hu, FA 157321 (Nat. Arb. Forum June 23,
2003) (“Respondent’s appropriation of [Complainant’s] SAFLOK mark to market
products that compete with Complainant’s goods does not constitute a bona fide
offering of goods and services.”); MSNBC
Cable, LLC v. Tysys.com, D2000-1204 (WIPO Dec. 8, 2000) (finding no rights
or legitimate interests in the famous MSNBC mark where the respondent attempted
to profit using the complainant’s mark by redirecting Internet traffic to its
own website); see also DLJ Long Term Inv. Corp. v.
BargainDomainNames.com, FA 104580 (Nat.
Arb. Forum Apr. 9, 2002) (“Respondent is not using the disputed domain name in
connection with a bona fide offering of goods and services because Respondent
is using the domain name to divert Internet users to <visual.com>, where
services that compete with Complainant are advertised.”).
The Panel finds
that Policy ¶ 4(a)(ii) has been satisfied.
Respondent
registered domain names containing a confusingly similar version of
Complainant’s well-known mark and did so for Respondent’s commercial gain. Respondent’s domain names divert Internet
users searching under Complainant’s STATE FARM mark to Respondent’s commercial
website. The Panel infers that Respondent
receives click-through fees for diverting Internet users searching for
Complainant to Complainant’s competitors.
Thus, the Panel finds that Respondent registered and used the disputed
domain names in bad faith pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(b)(iv). See
G.D. Searle & Co. v. Celebrex
Drugstore, FA 123933 (Nat. Arb. Forum Nov. 21, 2002) (finding that the
respondent registered and used the domain name in bad faith pursuant to Policy
¶ 4(b)(iv) because the respondent was using the confusingly similar domain name
to attract Internet users to its commercial website); see also Kmart v. Khan, FA 127708 (Nat. Arb. Forum Nov. 22, 2002)
(finding that if the respondent profits from its diversionary use of the
complainant’s mark when the domain name resolves to commercial websites and the
respondent fails to contest the complaint, it may be concluded that the
respondent is using the domain name in bad faith pursuant to Policy ¶
4(b)(iv)); see also Drs. Foster &
Smith, Inc. v. Lalli, FA 95284 (Nat. Arb. Forum Aug. 21, 2000) (finding bad
faith where the respondent directed Internet users seeking the complainant’s site to its own website for commercial
gain).
Respondent is
deemed to have actual or constructive knowledge of Complainant’s mark due to
Complainant’s registration with the USPTO.
Thus, the Panel finds that Respondent registered and used the domain
names in bad faith due to Respondent’s actual or constructive knowledge of
Complainant’s rights in the mark at the time of registration. See
Samsonite Corp. v. Colony Holding, FA 94313 (Nat. Arb. Forum Apr. 17, 2000)
(finding that evidence of bad faith includes actual or constructive knowledge
of a commonly known mark at the time of registration); see also Orange Glo Int’l v.
Blume, FA 118313 (Nat. Arb. Forum Oct. 4, 2002) (“Complainant’s OXICLEAN
mark is listed on the Principal Register of the USPTO, a status that confers
constructive notice on those seeking
to register or use the mark or any confusingly similar variation thereof.”); see also Digi Int’l v. DDI Sys., FA
124506 (Nat. Arb. Forum Oct. 24, 2002) (“[T]here is a legal presumption of bad
faith, when Respondent reasonably should have been aware of Complainant’s
trademarks, actually or constructively.”).
The Panel finds
that Policy ¶ 4(a)(iii) has been satisfied.
Having
established all three elements required under the ICANN Policy, the Panel
concludes that relief shall be GRANTED.
Accordingly, it
is Ordered that the <statefarmibnsurance.com>,
<statefarmihnsurance.com>, <statefarmihsurance.com>, <statefarmijnsurance.com>,
<statefarmijsurance.com>, <statefarmiknsurance.com>,
<statefarmimnsurance.com>, <statefarminbsurance.com>,
<statefarminhsurance.com>, <statefarminjsurance.com>,
<statefarminmsurance.com>, <statefarminrance.com>,
<statefarminsjrance.com>, <statefarminsjurance.com>,
<statefarminsrace.com>, <statefarminsranc.com>,
<statefarminsrane.com>, <statefarminsrnce.com>,
<statefarminsuace.com>, <statefarminsuanc.com>,
<statefarminsuane.com>, <statefarminsudance.com>,
<statefarminsufance.com>, <statefarminsufrance.com>,
<statefarminsujrance.com>, <statefarminsunce.com>,
<statefarminsurabnce.com>, <statefarminsurac.com>,
<statefarminsurae.com>, <statefarminsurahce.com>,
<statefarminsurahnce.com>, <statefarminsurajce.com>,
<statefarminsurajnce.com>, <statefarminsuran.com>,
<statefarminsurancde.com>, <statefarminsurancecom.com>,
<statefarminsuranced.com>, <statefarminsurancee.com>,
<statefarminsurancer.com>, <statefarminsurancew.com>,
<statefarminsurancre.com>, <statefarminsurancs.com>,
<statefarminsurancse.com>, <statefarminsurancwe.com>,
<statefarminsuranhce.com>, <statefarminsuranjce.com>,
<statefarminsurannce.com>, <statefarminsuraqnce.com>,
<statefarminsurasnce.com>, <statefarminsuraznce.com>, <statefarminsurce.com>,
<statefarminsurdance.com>, <statefarminsurfance.com>,
<statefarminsurnc.com>, <statefarminsurne.com>,
<statefarminsurqance.com>, <statefarminsurqnce.com>,
<statefarminsurzance.com>, <statefarminsurznce.com>,
<statefarminswurance.com>, <statefarminuance.com>,
<statefarminurace.com>, <statefarminuranc.com>,
<statefarminurane.com>, <statefarminurnce.com>,
<statefarminwsurance.com>, <statefarminwurance.com>,
<statefarmionsurance.com>, <statefarmisrance.com>,
<statefarmisuance.com>, <statefarmisurace.com>,
<statefarmisuranc.com>, <statefarmisurane.com>,
<statefarmisurnce.com>, <statefarmiunsurance.com>,
<statefarmiurance.com>, <statefarmjinsurance.com>,
<statefarmkinsurance.com>, <statefarmnsrance.com>,
<statefarmnsuance.com>, <statefarmnsurace.com>,
<statefarmnsuranc.com>, <statefarmnsurane.com>,
<statefarmnsurnce.com>, <statefarmnurance.com>,
<statefarmoinsurance.com>, <statefarmuinsurance.com>,
<statefarnsurance.com>, <wstatefarminsurance.com>, and
<www-statefarminsurance.com> domain names be TRANSFERRED from
Respondent to Complainant.
John J. Upchurch, Panelist
Dated:
August 29, 2005
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