---
title: "What Is Bad faith? Domain Glossary | Grit Brokerage"
description: "The legal standard under the UDRP for abusive domain behavior. A complainant must show a domain was both registered and used in bad faith, such as..."
url: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/bad-faith
publisher: Grit Brokerage
contact: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact
offer: https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/inquiry
---

Legal and disputes

# Bad faith

The legal standard under the UDRP for abusive domain behavior. A complainant must show a domain was both registered and used in bad faith, such as targeting a trademark to profit or to harm.

## Why it matters

The UDRP lists examples of bad faith. These include registering mainly to sell the name to the mark owner for more than the cost of registration, blocking a mark owner from using its name, disrupting a competitor, or using the name to draw users by confusion. Both registration and use must be in bad faith. A domain bought for its generic meaning is not in bad faith just because the owner will sell it. A common mistake is writing an offer email that sounds like you bought the name to sell to a brand. Keep sales language neutral and open.

Source: [icann.org](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/policy-2012-02-25-en)

[Read nextDomain Names and Trademarks: UDRP, Cybersquatting, and How to Buy Safely](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/domain-trademark-udrp-risk)

## Where we use this term

-   [How to Find Out Who Owns a Domain Name (WHOIS, RDAP, and Privacy)](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/find-domain-owner)
-   [How to Buy a Domain Name That Someone Already Owns](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-buy-a-domain-that-is-taken)
-   [How to Negotiate a Domain Name Purchase Without Overpaying](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/guides/negotiate-domain-purchase)

## Buying or selling a domain?

Call, text or email. Responsiveness is our trademark, and a broker answers, not a form robot.

[Talk to a broker](https://gritbrokerage.preview.multisites.ai/contact) [Call (442) 500-GRIT](tel:+1-442-500-4748)