Staples Inc -v- Transworld Leisuire [2004] DRS 1514 (23 March 2004)

Staples Inc -v- Transworld Leisuire [2004] DRS 1514 (23 March 2004)

The complainant has registered trade mark rights in STAPLES, and the domain name STAPELS is similar. The respondent used the domain name to intentionally take advantage of the complainant's rights by directing users to a competitor and mimicking the complainant's logo, constituting abusive registration.

Citation
[2004] DRS 1514
Parties
Complainant: Staples Inc.; Respondent: Transworld Leisure
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
23 March 2004
Procedural Posture
Domain Name Dispute / Expert Determination
Outcome
Complaint upheld
Legal Topics
Domain Name Disputes, Trade Marks, Passing Off, Abusive Registration
Intellectual Property Internet Law Domain Name Disputes Trade Marks Passing Off Abusive Registration

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Parties

Staples Inc.

Complainant

Transworld Leisure

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 in the hands of the respondent is an abusive registration

Ratio Decidendi

The complainant has registered trade mark rights in STAPLES, and the domain name STAPELS is similar. The respondent used the domain name to intentionally take advantage of the complainant's rights by directing users to a competitor and mimicking the complainant's logo, constituting abusive registration.

Court Disposition

Complaint upheld

Orders

  • Transfer of the domain name stapels.co.uk to the complainant