Asian Domain name dispute under the new URS system

A domain name (DN) dispute between Novartis and an Indonesian individual called Eko Prayento has been resolved by the Asian Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre (ADNDRC). This organization hears domain name disputes under the new fast track Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) domain name dispute resolution system adopted by the internet management agency the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The DN was www.novartis-venturefund.com. Novartis filed a complaint at ADNDRC based on its trademark NOVARTIS. It previously owned the www.novartis-venture fund.com DN but had failed to renew it. So Eko Prayento subsequently registered it. The arbitrator quite obviously found the mark was similar and therefore Prayento had the burden to prove he had legitimate rights in the name. He did not file any defense to the complaint so Novartis won.

The new URS system is fast and efficient and it is good to see it being used in Asia.