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Domain Name Disputes Rise
In the late 1990s, the Internet was exploding. People were racing to register choice domain names and corporations were paying millions for them—sparking chaos and domain name disputes in the process. Recognizing the need to regulate this new realm, the United States Department of Commerce created ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which established a mandatory dispute resolution policy for administering domain name conflicts.

The National Arbitration Forum Responds
To oversee and administer these cases, ICANN selected the National Arbitration Forum (FORUM), an international provider of arbitration services. In late 1999, we assembled a specialized panel, identifying legal experts from around the world with trademark, copyright, and e-commerce experience. We drafted supplemental rules and developed the technological systems necessary to handle a high-volume, international caseload. Since then, over 12,000 domain name disputes have been filed worldwide. The FORUM efficiently resolves disputes involving diverse parties and trademarks ranging from Google to Hillary Clinton and Neiman Marcus to Nike.



“The UDRP is an administrative alternative dispute resolution policy which creates a procedure specifically designed to provide a fast and cheap means for resolving domain name disputes. (internal citations omitted). On average, it takes no more than two months to resolve a domain name dispute under the UDRP.”

American Girl, LLC v. Nameview, Inc., 381 F.Supp.2d 876 (E.D. Wis. 2005)




ICANN Rollout of new gTLDs

One of the biggest topics of discussion surrounding domain names lately has been whether, when, and how ICANN will be rolling out what could potentially be hundreds of new top-level domains. While the answers to these questions, and others, aren't settled, our filers might still be wondering how these changes might impact them. Of course, the FORUM will be available for UDRP disputes that might arise from some less-regulated new TLDs. But for filers who might be interested in learning more about how to acquire their own top-level domains in the new process, the FORUM is pleased to recommend a company committed to helping brands and communities navigate the new gTLD process.



Minds+Machines is staffed by domain name industry experts who can answer your questions and help determine if owning your own top-level domain name is right for you. And if you determine that you want to submit an application for a new gTLD, Minds+Machines has the know-how and connections to make that process seamless and can work with new Registries and the FORUM to customize sunrise-type programs specific to their needs.

For more information about dispute resolution solutions for new gTLDs, please contact Kristine Dorrain at kdorrain@adrforum.com.