Guess? IP Holder L.P. and Guess?, Inc. v. Maria Nelson / Client Care / Web Commerce Communications Limited / ZhouRunFa
Claim Number: FA2304002042364
Complainant is Guess? IP Holder L.P. and Guess?, Inc. (“Complainant”), represented by Gary J. Nelson of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP, California, USA. Respondent is Maria Nelson / Client Care / Web Commerce Communications Limited / ZhouRunFa (“Respondent”), USA.
REGISTRAR AND DISPUTED DOMAIN NAMES
The domain names at issue are <guessoutletwebshop.net>, <guessireland-ie.com>, <guess-belgie.com>, <guessjapanoutlet.com>, registered with Alibaba.Com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited; Web Commerce Communications Limited Dba Webnic.Cc.
The undersigned certifies that she has acted independently and impartially and to the best of her knowledge has no known conflict in serving as Panelist in this proceeding.
Sandra J. Franklin as Panelist.
Complainant submitted a Complaint to Forum electronically on April 28, 2023; Forum received payment on April 28, 2023.
On May 1, 2023; and May 4, 2023, Alibaba.Com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited; and Web Commerce Communications Limited Dba Webnic.Cc confirmed by e-mail to Forum that the <guessoutletwebshop.net>, <guessireland-ie.com>, <guess-belgie.com>, <guessjapanoutlet.com> domain names are registered with Alibaba.Com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited; and Web Commerce Communications Limited Dba Webnic.Cc and that Respondent is the current registrant of the names. Alibaba.Com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited; and Web Commerce Communications Limited Dba Webnic.Cc have verified that Respondent is bound by the Alibaba.Com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited; and Web Commerce Communications Limited Dba Webnic.Cc registration agreements 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 May 8, 2023, Forum served the Complaint and all Annexes, including a Written Notice of the Complaint, setting a deadline of May 30, 2023 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@guessoutletwebshop.net, postmaster@guessireland-ie.com, postmaster@guess-belgie.com, postmaster@guessjapanoutlet.com. Also on May 8, 2023, 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, Forum transmitted to the parties a Notification of Respondent Default.
On June 5, 2023, pursuant to Complainant's request to have the dispute decided by a single-member Panel, Forum appointed Sandra J. Franklin as Panelist.
Having reviewed the communications records, the Administrative Panel (the "Panel") finds that 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, 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 name be transferred from Respondent to Complainant.
PRELIMINARY ISSUE: MULTIPLE COMPLAINANTS
The relevant rules governing multiple complainants are UDRP Rule 3(a) and the Forum’s Supplemental Rule 1(e). UDRP Rule 3(a) states, “Any person or entity may initiate an administrative proceeding by submitting a complaint.” The Forum’s Supplemental Rule 1(e) defines “The Party Initiating a Complaint Concerning a Domain Name Registration” as a “single person or entity claiming to have rights in the domain name, or multiple persons or entities who have a sufficient nexus who can each claim to have rights to all domain names listed in the Complaint.”
Previous panels have interpreted the Forum’s Supplemental Rule 1(e) to allow multiple parties to proceed as one party where they can show a sufficient link to each other. For example, in Vancouver Org. Comm. for the 2010 Olympic and Paralymic Games & Int’l Olympic Comm. v. Malik, FA 666119 (Forum May 12, 2006), the panel stated:
It has been accepted that it is permissible for two complainants to submit a single complaint if they can demonstrate a link between the two entities such as a relationship involving a license, a partnership or an affiliation that would establish the reason for the parties bringing the complaint as one entity.
There are two Complainants in this matter: Guess? IP Holder L.P. and Guess?, Inc. Guess? IP Holder L.P. is wholly owned by Guess?, Inc. The Panel therefore finds that there is a sufficient link between the named Complainants, and elects to treat them as one Complainant.
PRELIMINARY ISSUE: MULTIPLE RESPONDENTS
Complainant alleges that the disputed domain names are effectively controlled by the same person and/or entity, operating under several aliases. Paragraph 3(c) of the Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Rules”) provides that a “complaint may relate to more than one domain name, provided that the domain names are registered by the same domain name holder.” Complainant shows that the disputed domain names resolve to identical websites and share a common IP address. The Panel therefore finds that the domain names are commonly owned/controlled by a single entity or person and will refer to the named Respondents as Respondent.
A. Complainant
1. Respondent’s <guessoutletwebshop.net>, <guessireland-ie.com>, <guess-belgie.com> and <guessjapanoutlet.com> domain names are confusingly similar to Complainant’s GUESS? mark.
2. Respondent does not have any rights or legitimate interests in the <guessoutletwebshop.net>, <guessireland-ie.com>, <guess-belgie.com> and <guessjapanoutlet.com> domain names.
3. Respondent registered and uses the <guessoutletwebshop.net>, <guessireland-ie.com>, <guess-belgie.com> and <guessjapanoutlet.com> domain names in bad faith.
B. Respondent did not file a Response.
Complainant is a manufacturer and retailer of apparel. Complainant holds a registration for the GUESS? mark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) (Reg. No. 1,433,022 registered March 17, 1987).
Respondent registered the disputed domain names as follows:
February 24, 2022, <guessireland-ie.com>
June 27, 2022, <guessoutletwebshop.net>
September 17, 2022, <guessjapanoutlet.com>
November 6, 2022, <guess-belgie.com>
Respondent uses the domain names to sell counterfeit versions of Complainant’s goods.
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 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.
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(f), 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 set forth in a complaint; however, the Panel may deny relief where a complaint contains mere conclusory or unsubstantiated arguments. See WIPO Jurisprudential Overview 3.0 at ¶ 4.3; see also eGalaxy Multimedia Inc. v. ON HOLD By Owner Ready To Expire, FA 157287 (Forum June 26, 2003) (“Because Complainant did not produce clear evidence to support its subjective allegations [. . .] the Panel finds it appropriate to dismiss the Complaint”).
The Panel finds that Complainant has rights in the GUESS? mark based on the registration of the mark with the USPTO. See Brooks Sports, Inc. v. Joyce Cheadle, FA 1819065 (Forum Dec. 28, 2018) (finding that Complainant’s registration of the BROOKS mark with the USPTO sufficiently conferred its rights in the mark under Policy ¶ 4(a)(i).”).
Respondent’s <guessoutletwebshop.net>, <guessireland-ie.com>, <guess-belgie.com> and <guessjapanoutlet.com> domain names all use Complainant’s GUESS? Mark wihotut the “?”, and simply add geographic or generic terms or hyphens, and a gTLD. The addition of a gTLD and a geographic or generic term, along with minor punctuation diffrences, fail to sufficiently distinguish a disputed domain name from a mark under Policy ¶ 4(a)(i). See Franklin Covey Co. v. franklincoveykorea, FA 1774660 (Forum Apr. 11, 2018) (finding that the <franklincoveykorea.com> domain name is confusingly similar to the FRANKLIN COVEY mark, as “[t]he addition of a geographic term and a gTLD do not negate confusing similarity between a domain name and a mark per Policy ¶ 4(a)(i).”); see also The Toronto-Dominion Bank v. George Whitehead, FA 1784412 (Forum June 11, 2018) (“[S]light differences between domain names and registered marks, such as the addition of words that describe the goods or services in connection with the mark and gTLDs, do not distinguish the domain name from the mark incorporated therein per Policy ¶ 4(a)(i).”); see also Health Devices Corp. v. Aspen S T C, FA 158254 (Forum July 1, 2003) (“[T]he addition of punctuation marks such as hyphens is irrelevant in the determination of confusing similarity pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(a)(i).”) Therefore, the Panel finds that Respondent’s disputed domain names are confusingly similar to Complainant’s GUESS? Mark.
The Panel finds that Complainant has satisfied Policy ¶ 4(a)(i).
Once Complainant makes a prima facie case that Respondent lacks rights and legitimate interests in the disputed domain name under Policy ¶ 4(a)(ii), the burden shifts to Respondent to show it does have rights or legitimate interests. See Advanced International Marketing Corporation v. AA-1 Corp, FA 780200 (Forum Nov. 2, 2011) (finding that a complainant must offer some evidence to make its prima facie case and satisfy Policy ¶ 4(a)(ii)); see also Neal & Massey Holdings Limited v. Gregory Ricks, FA 1549327 (Forum Apr. 12, 2014) (“Under Policy ¶ 4(a)(ii), Complainant must first make out a prima facie case showing that Respondent lacks rights and legitimate interests in respect of an at-issue domain name and then the burden, in effect, shifts to Respondent to come forward with evidence of its rights or legitimate interests”).
Complainant contends that Respondent lacks rights and legitimate interests in the disputed domain names since Respondent is not commonly known by the domain names and Complainant has not authorized or licensed to Respondent any rights in the GUESS? mark. The WHOIS information for the disputed domain names lists the registrant as "Maria Nelson / Client Care / Web Commerce Communications Limited / ZhouRunFa.” Therefore, the Panel finds that Respondent is not commonly known by the disputed domain names, and thus has no rights under Policy ¶ 4(c)(ii). See Guardair Corporation v. Pablo Palermo, FA1407001571060 (Forum Aug. 28, 2014) (holding that the respondent was not commonly known by the <guardair.com> domain name according to Policy ¶ 4(c)(ii), as the WHOIS information lists “Pablo Palermo” as registrant of the disputed domain name); see also Bittrex, Inc. v. Operi Manaha, FA 1815225 (Forum Dec. 10, 2018) (concluding that the respondent was not commonly known by the <appbittrex.com> domain name where the WHOIS information listed Respondent as “Operi Manaha,” and nothing else in the record suggested Respondent was authorized to use the BITTREX mark.).
Complainant argues that Respondent fails to use the disputed domain names for a bona fide offering of goods or services or a legitimate noncommercial or fair use as they resolve to webpages that mimic Complainant’s own website and offer counterfeit versions of Complainant’s goods. Using a disputed domain name to pass off as affiliated with a complainant and redirect users to counterfeit goods is not a bona fide offering of goods or services or a legitimate noncommercial or fair use under Policy ¶¶ 4(c)(i) or (iii). See Wolverine World Wide, Inc. v. Fergus Knox, FA 1627751 (Forum Aug. 19, 2015) (finding no bona fide offering of goods or legitimate noncommercial or fair use existed where Respondent used the resolving website to sell products branded with Complainant’s MERRELL mark, and were either counterfeit products or legitimate products of Complainant being resold without authorization); see also Dell Inc. v. Devesh Tyagi, FA 1785301 (Forum June 2, 2018) (“Respondent replicates Complainant’s website and displays Complainant’s products. The Panel finds that this use is not a bona fide offering of goods or services under Policy ¶¶ 4(c)(i) & (iii).”). Complainant provides evidence showing that the disputed domain names resolve to webpages displaying Complainant’s mark and product photos, and offering for sale counterfeit versions of Complainant’s goods. The Panel finds that this is not a bona fide offering of goods or services or a legitimate noncommercial or fair use, and thus Respondent has no rights under Policy ¶ 4(c)(i) or (iii).
The Panel finds that Complainant has satisfied Policy ¶ 4(a)(ii).
Complainant also contends that, in light of the fame and notoriety of Complainant's GUESS? mark, it is inconceivable that Respondent could have registered the disputed domain names without knowledge of Complainant's rights in the mark. The Panel agrees, noting Respondent’s use of Complainant’s mark and product photos at the resolving webpage, and finds further bad faith under Policy ¶ 4(a)(iii). See Univision Comm'cns Inc. v. Norte, FA 1000079 (Forum Aug. 16, 2007) (rejecting the respondent's contention that it did not register the disputed domain name in bad faith since the panel found that the respondent had knowledge of the complainant's rights in the UNIVISION mark when registering the disputed domain name).
The Panel finds that Complainant has satisfied Policy ¶ 4(a)(iii).
Having established all three elements required under the ICANN Policy, the Panel concludes that relief shall be GRANTED.
Accordingly, it is Ordered that the <guessoutletwebshop.net>, <guessireland-ie.com>, <guess-belgie.com>, and <guessjapanoutlet.com> domain names be TRANSFERRED from Respondent to Complainant.
Sandra J. Franklin, Panelist
Dated: June 6, 2023
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