Comtec Enterprises Ltd v Corden (t/a Comtec) [2005] DRS 02204 (24 February 2005)

Comtec Enterprises Ltd v Corden (t/a Comtec) [2005] DRS 02204 (24 February 2005)

The term 'comtec' is both generic and wholly descriptive of the complainant's business and is widely used in the computer industry; therefore, the complainant cannot establish rights in the name under the DRS Policy, and the complaint fails at the first hurdle.

Citation
[2005] DRS 02204
Parties
Complainant: Comtec Enterprises Ltd; Respondent: Mr Mark Corden t/a Comtec (or Comtec Computers)
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
24 February 2005
Procedural Posture
Nominet UK Dispute Resolution Service (drs) Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination
Outcome
Complaint dismissed
Legal Topics
Domain Name Rights, Generic/descriptive Terms, Passing Off, Abusive Registration, Burden of Proof
Intellectual Property Domain Name Disputes Domain Name Rights Generic/descriptive Terms Passing Off Abusive Registration Burden of Proof

Case Brief

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Parties

Comtec Enterprises Ltd

Complainant

Mr Mark Corden t/a Comtec (or Comtec Computers)

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 name 'comtec' identical or similar to the domain name
  2. 2 Whether the domain name registration is abusive under the DRS Policy

Ratio Decidendi

The term 'comtec' is both generic and wholly descriptive of the complainant's business and is widely used in the computer industry; therefore, the complainant cannot establish rights in the name under the DRS Policy, and the complaint fails at the first hurdle.

Court Disposition

Complaint dismissed

Orders

  • No action to be taken on the domain name registration