Google Inc -v- LWD Internet [2004] DRS 1443 (5 March 2004)

Google Inc -v- LWD Internet [2004] DRS 1443 (5 March 2004)

On the balance of probabilities, the respondent registered froogle.co.uk with knowledge of Google's launch or intended launch of froogle.com and with speculative intent, amounting to an abusive registration under the Policy. The complainant had sufficient rights in FROOGLE for the purposes of the Policy, and the domain name should be transferred.

Citation
[2004] DRS 1443
Parties
Complainant: Google Inc; Respondent: LWD Internet
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
05 March 2004
Procedural Posture
Nominet UK Dispute Resolution Service (drs) Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination
Outcome
Domain name to be transferred to complainant
Legal Topics
Domain Name Disputes, Trademark Rights, Abusive Registration, Passing Off
Intellectual Property Internet Law Domain Name Disputes Trademark Rights Abusive Registration Passing Off

Case Brief

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Parties

Google Inc

Complainant

LWD Internet

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Nominet UK Dispute Resolution Service (drs) Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the complainant has rights in the mark FROOGLE identical or similar to the disputed domain name
  2. 2 Whether the domain name froogle.co.uk is an abusive registration under the Nominet DRS Policy

Ratio Decidendi

On the balance of probabilities, the respondent registered froogle.co.uk with knowledge of Google's launch or intended launch of froogle.com and with speculative intent, amounting to an abusive registration under the Policy. The complainant had sufficient rights in FROOGLE for the purposes of the Policy, and the domain name should be transferred.

Court Disposition

Domain name to be transferred to complainant

Orders

  • froogle.co.uk to be transferred to Google Inc