Aquinas Ltd -v- Aquinas IT Ltd [2003] DRS 918 (12 June 2003)

Aquinas Ltd -v- Aquinas IT Ltd [2003] DRS 918 (12 June 2003)

The Respondent registered and used the domain name before the Complainants' trademark registration and has been commonly known by a similar name in connection with genuine business. The Complainants failed to prove the domain name was an abusive registration under the DRS Policy.

Citation
[2003] DRS 918
Parties
Complainant: Aquinas Ltd; Complainant: Aquinas International Ltd; Respondent: Aquinas I. T. Ltd
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
12 June 2003
Procedural Posture
Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination
Outcome
Complaint dismissed
Legal Topics
Domain Name Disputes, Trademark Infringement, Passing Off, Abusive Registration

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 2 Authorities cited 1 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Aquinas Ltd

Complainant

Aquinas International Ltd

Complainant

Aquinas I. T. Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination

  1. 1 Whether the registration and use of the domain name aquinas.co.uk by the Respondent constitutes an abusive registration under the Nominet DRS Policy
  2. 2 Whether the Respondent's use of the domain name infringes the Complainants' trademark rights or constitutes passing off

Ratio Decidendi

The Respondent registered and used the domain name before the Complainants' trademark registration and has been commonly known by a similar name in connection with genuine business. The Complainants failed to prove the domain name was an abusive registration under the DRS Policy.

Court Disposition

Complaint dismissed

Orders

  • The domain name aquinas.co.uk shall remain with the Respondent.