Whether you are new to domain name disputes or you haven’t seen a particular issue before, Glossary, FAQ and Which Policy below will help set you in the right direction. If you are unable to find what you need, please contact us.
The internet governance body through whom all domain name contracts flow
www.icann.org.
The first domain name dispute resolution policy issued by ICANN. Applies to all gTLDs.
A policy designed to be faster, cheaper mechanism than the UDRP for brand owners who don’t want the domain name; very similar to UDRP, but with stricter requirements.
The portion of a domain name that is the farthest to the right of the dot that is regulated and controlled by ICANN. Typically gTLDs may be sold to anyone.
A gTLD that came into existance in 2013 as part of a giant top-level domain expansion program.
The portion of a domain name that is farthest to the right of the dot that is regulated and controlled by a specific country. CcTLDs are two-character country codes. ccTLD registries may be run by third parties or by a branch of that country’s government and there may be geographical or other limitations on who can register domains in specific ccTLDs.
The portions of a domain name are read from right to left, with the rightmost section being the top-level domain (TLD). The next segment is the second-level domain, the part most people associate with a domain name. The next segment heading left is the third-level domain. In most cases, the second-level domain is purchased from a registrar and the user has control over all possible third-level domains that are sub-created.
The Decision you have received from the Forum does not automatically mean you have control of the domain name.You will need to work with the Registrar(this is the reason for notifying them in the first place and providing them with a copy of the complaint) to get them to send information needed for transfer.Not all registrars handle this process the same.Some variations include:
- Setting up an account for you and putting the domains in it, then giving you the account information so that you can transfer the domains to your registrar.
- Providing a 'transfer authorization code' sometimes called a transfer code or an auth.code, that you can use with your registrar when requesting a transfer.
- Providing an 'EPP' code that is for a specialized registrar- to - registrar transfer process.
- Changing the contact details of the domain name (maybe just the email address) to Complainant’s, so that when a transfer is requested, the confirmation email goes to the Complainant.
Most of the time, the Whois record provides at least the Registrar name; if not, contact information for the Registrar.Some third- party Whois providers the Forum uses include:
- Domain Tools
- BetterWhois
- InterNIC
- Verisign(.com and.net Registry)
The European Union General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") and other privacy laws have and will continue to have an impact on the accessibility of WHOIS information. As of May 25, 2018, publicly available WHOIS data will not include full contact information for domain name registrants in many instances. On May 17, 2018, ICANN released a Temporary Specification for gTLD Registration Data (“Temporary Specification”) to address the implications of the GDPR. See, this .
Currently, not all WHOIS information is unavailable.A complainant will be required to verify that WHOIS information is not publicly available for the domain name(s) at issue in the complaint. If the WHOIS information is not publicly available, Forum will accept a complaint without complete contact information for the registrant.
Once the complaint is filed, Forum will contact the registrar or registry to obtain the information.The ICANN Temporary Specification, Annexes D and E acknowledge that Forum, as a Provider, will be provided with registrant information upon the filing of a complaint.
In UDRP cases, Forum will then request that the complainant amend the complaint to reflect the correct registrant contact information.
ICANN has initiated an Expedited Policy Development Process (“EPDP”) to consider the adoption or modification of the Temporary Specification. It is anticipated that the EPDP will include discussion of a standardized access model to nonpublic registration information.
With so many different domain name-related policies, how do you know which one to use? The chart below highlights some of the more common questions and outlines some considerations for choosing the right policy. The links will direct you to more information on the policy in question.
Problem | Policy(ies) w/ hyperlink | What you need to know |
---|---|---|
Someone is infringing my trademark or company name in a domain name. | UDRP URS CentralNic’s CDRP usDRP usRS | The UDRP applies to all generic top level domains (gTLDs), from .com to the newest top level domains. It applies to many country codes top level domains (ccTLDs) as well—sometimes even to third level domains in those ccTLDs. It also applies to third level domains registered in .co.com. You must have a trademark to use this policy. The UDRP applies to all generic top level domains. The usDRP is the equivalent policy for the .us ccTLD. The URS applies to all gTLDs that went live starting in 2013. It’s similar to the UDRP. Key differences include: you cannot get the domain name transferred to you (it gets suspended for a year), you must have a registered trademark, and the burden of proof is higher. The usRS is the equivalent policy for the .us ccTLD. CentralNic’s CDRP is almost identical to the UDRP. It applies to third level domains registered in the second level domains operated by CentralNic. You must participate in CentralNic mediation before filing a complaint. |
Someone stole my domain name. | UDRP URS | If you have a trademark, the information above applies. If not, you need to contact ICANN or the Registrars involved to try to get your domain name back. |
I have a dispute over a domain name registered in a ccTLD. How do I know if the UDRP applies or if you handle that dispute? | usDRP usRS | Our ccTLDs page lists the ccTLDs we manage policies for. Countries sometimes adopt the UDRP in its entirety or adopt a very similar policy. If a country adopts the UDRP, any UDRP provider can handle the case. If a country creates their own policy, even if it is very similar to the UDRP, the country will often specify providers. We do our best to keep as complete a list as we can on our ccTLD Policies page. |
A Registrar won’t allow my domain name to be transferred to a new Registrar or has allowed my domain name to be transferred against my will. | TDRP | There is a policy designed to enforce the Inter-Registrar Transfer Policy. Disputes under the Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy can only be brought by a Registrar against another Registrar so you would need to solicit support from your Registrar. The loser pays in this system. If your Registrar is not willing to help you, you may wish to contact ICANN. |
Problem | Policy(ies) w/ hyperlink | What you need to know |
---|---|---|
By the Registry itself | PDDRP RRDRP | ICANN has two policies that can be used to hold a registry accountable for not following the Registry’s own policies or for encouraging trademark infringement. Both the PDDRP and RRDRP have as a remedy sanctions against the Registry. |
By the Registrar | Contact ICANN | There are no policies that allow complaints against a Registrar, however, Registrar complaints are followed up by ICANN. |
By the Registrant | SDRP REDRP and Custom Policies | The SDRP is a policy of limited duration that can be used to challenge a domain name obtained during the registry’s sunrise period. These are listed on our Custom Policies Page by TLD. Some registries have established special registration requirements and corresponding policies for disputing a domain name’s registration in violation of those requirements, including the REDRP. Our Custom Policies page lists those policies by TLD. |
Problem | What you need to know |
---|---|
My domain name was stolen or my web designer won’t transfer my domain name to me and I don’t have a trademark or the domain name is generic. | If working with the Registrars and ICANN is not effective, you may need to seek remedies in a court of competent jurisdiction. |
My trademark is being infringed in a ccTLD but I cannot find evidence of a dispute policy. | Unfortunately, many ccTLDs have not made provisions for dispute resolution policies. Generally, the options are: to work with the registrant directly, reach out to the registry for help, or file a complaint in court in the registrant’s jurisdiction. |
I had an agreement for a sale of a domain name and the other party backed out. | No dispute policies apply. This type of dispute would fall under contract law and you would need to file a complaint in court. |
Someone is parking a domain name that I want to buy or refuses to negotiate with me over the purchase of a domain name I want. | The Policies cannot be used to obtain a domain name that someone is unwilling to sell you. Some of the policies listed above, like UDRP, might apply if you have a trademark that is being infringed. |