URS FINAL DETERMINATION
IBM Corporation v. Johnny Gonzalez et al.
Claim Number: FA1608001689620
DOMAIN NAME
<newibm.website>
PARTIES
Complainant: IBM Corporation of Armonk, NY, United States of America | |
Respondent: Johnny A Gonzalez of Bogota, Colombia | |
REGISTRIES and REGISTRARS
Registries: DotWebsite Inc. | |
Registrars: PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com |
EXAMINER
The undersigned certifies that he or she has acted independently and impartially and to the best of his or her knowledge has no known conflict in serving as Examiner in this proceeding. | |
Hector Ariel Manoff, as Examiner |
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Complainant Submitted: August 17, 2016 | |
Commencement: August 18, 2016 | |
Response Date: August 18, 2016 | |
Having reviewed the communications records, the Examiner finds that the Forum has discharged its responsibility under URS Procedure Paragraphs 3 and 4 and Rule 4 of the Rules for the Uniform Rapid Suspension System (the "Rules"). |
RELIEF SOUGHT
Complainant requests that the domain name be suspended for the life of the registration. |
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Clear and convincing evidence. |
FINDINGS and DISCUSSION
Findings of Fact: The Complainant owns several trademark registrations for IBM in United States and Colombia. |
URS Procedure 1.2.6, requires Complainant to prove, by clear and convincing evidence, each of the following three elements to obtain an order that a domain name should be suspended.
[URS 1.2.6.1] The registered domain name(s) is/are identical or confusingly similar
to a word mark: Determined: Finding for Complainant The disputed domain name <newibm.website> is confusingly similar to the Complainant’s Trademarks IBM. The addition of the term “new” and the new gTLD “.website” does not have any impact on the overall impression provided by the name “IBM”. Examiner finds that the disputed domain name is confusingly similar to the Complainant’s trademark registrations and that Complainant has complied with URS 1.2.6.1 by demonstrating that the disputed domain name is confusingly similar to a mark for which the Complainant holds a valid registration which is in current use. [URS 1.2.6.2] Registrant has no legitimate right or interest to the domain name. Determined: Finding for Complainant Complainant has not authorized Respondent to use its registered trademarks IBM. No evidence was submitted to prove that Respondent is commonly known as IBM. There is no evidence about rights or legitimate interest in IBM and the disputed domain name, or evidence about a fair use either. Respondent has alleged that he has not used the domain and he has no intention to sell or transfer it to any other person. He also alleged that he is a “natural” person, not a commercial entity. All these assertions are not enough to prove legitimate interest in the domain. The Examiner finds that the requirements set forth by URS 1.2.6.2 have been also met.
[URS 1.2.6.3] The domain name(s) was/were registered and is being used in bad faith.
Determined: Finding for Complainant Since Complainant’s trademarks are prior to the disputed domain name’s registration, Examiner finds that the registration of the disputed domain name was made to take advantage of this famous mark. Regarding the use of the domain name, it resolves to a click through site. Examiner finds that the disputed domain name is being used in bad faith to attract for commercial gain and that Complainant has complied with URS 1.2.6.3. Examiner finds that the disputed domain name was registered and is being used in bad faith to attract for commercial gain and that Complainant has complied with URS 1.2.6.3. FINDING OF ABUSE or MATERIAL FALSEHOOD The Examiner may find that the Complaint was brought in an abuse of this proceeding or that it contained material falsehoods. The Examiner finds as follows:
DETERMINATION
After reviewing the parties’ submissions, the Examiner determines that the Complainant
has demonstrated all three elements of the URS by a standard of clear and convincing
evidence; the Examiner hereby Orders the following domain name(s) be SUSPENDED for
the duration of the registration:
|
Hector Ariel Manoff
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