Domains
The availability of a certain internet domain may affect my choice of a company name. Which domains are of interest to me? Are there domains that infringe my trademark or related rights? How can I respond?
We are familiar both with the legal background and the practical/technical aspects of domains. This is indispensable for the implementation of judgments and arbitration decisions. As one of the first German law offices we have become accredited agent before the Trademark Clearinghouse.
On a regular basis we conduct domain arbitration proceedings before the WIPO, NAF, HKIAC and other arbitration courts.
>>Consulting Example Domains
We administer the international domain portfolio of one of the worldwide leading companies in the field of illumination technology.
In a first step, a comprehensive search for internet domains containing the company name of the client was conducted. Subsequently, for all domains already owned by the client the registry data (“who is data”) were unified.
Where our search established domains of subsidiary companies, we transferred them to the client – as far as the particular registration conditions in each case allowed for such transfer.
Continually, we conduct a worldwide domain surveillance to be able to take immediate action against new trademark infringing domains. In coordination with the client we respond as required in the given situation. Should for instance a domain belong to a business partner of our client, we explain to him why the ownership of the domain is of considerable importance to our client. If need be, we then support the business partner in assigning the domain. In cases in which the use or possibly the mere ownership of the domain affects the rights and interests of our client, we seek to convince the owner of the domain to assign it. If the owner of the domain refuses to do so, arbitration proceedings are conducted with the WIPO, the HKIAC, etc. and the domains are transferred into the portfolio of the client. We have successfully completed all arbitration proceedings we have conducted so far.
Moreover we advise the client with regard to their domain strategy, e.g. their choice of new domains, and submitted their most important trademarks for registration with the Trademark Clearinghouse.
