Search Press Ltd v Morrison [2005] DRS 3035 (6 December 2005)

Search Press Ltd v Morrison [2005] DRS 3035 (6 December 2005)

The complainant established common law rights in the name 'Search Press' through longstanding use as a company name and unregistered trademark. The respondent used the domain name to divert potential customers to a parking page with links generating income for the respondent, thereby taking unfair advantage of the complainant's goodwill. This constituted abusive registration under the Policy.

Citation
[2005] DRS 3035
Parties
Complainant: Search Press Ltd; Respondent: Robert Morrison
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
06 December 2005
Procedural Posture
Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination
Outcome
Domain name transfer ordered
Legal Topics
Domain Name Disputes, Passing Off, Unregistered Trademark Rights, Abusive Registration
Intellectual Property Internet Law Domain Name Disputes Passing Off Unregistered Trademark Rights Abusive Registration

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Parties

Search Press Ltd

Complainant

Robert Morrison

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination

Legal Issues

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

Ratio Decidendi

The complainant established common law rights in the name 'Search Press' through longstanding use as a company name and unregistered trademark. The respondent used the domain name to divert potential customers to a parking page with links generating income for the respondent, thereby taking unfair advantage of the complainant's goodwill. This constituted abusive registration under the Policy.

Court Disposition

Domain name transfer ordered

Orders

  • The domain name searchpress.co.uk is to be transferred to the complainant.