Penguin Books Ltd -v- Cieplak [2002] DRS 114 (4 March 2002)

Penguin Books Ltd -v- Cieplak [2002] DRS 114 (4 March 2002)

The respondent, with knowledge of confusion between the domain name and the complainant's mark, used the domain name to seek exorbitant sums for transfer, thereby taking unfair advantage of the complainant's rights and causing detriment; this constitutes abusive registration under the Nominet DRS Policy.

Citation
[2002] DRS 114
Parties
Complainant: Penguin Books Limited; Respondent: Michael A. Cieplak
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
04 March 2002
Procedural Posture
Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination
Outcome
Complaint upheld
Legal Topics
Domain Name Registration, Trademark Infringement, Passing Off, Abusive Registration
Intellectual Property Internet Law Domain Name Registration Trademark Infringement Passing Off Abusive Registration

Case Brief

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Parties

Penguin Books Limited

Complainant

Michael A. Cieplak

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the complainant has rights in a mark similar to the disputed domain name
  2. 2 Whether the domain name in the hands of the respondent constitutes an abusive registration

Ratio Decidendi

The respondent, with knowledge of confusion between the domain name and the complainant's mark, used the domain name to seek exorbitant sums for transfer, thereby taking unfair advantage of the complainant's rights and causing detriment; this constitutes abusive registration under the Nominet DRS Policy.

Court Disposition

Complaint upheld

Orders

  • Domain name penquin.co.uk to be transferred to the complainant