What Is RDNH (Reverse domain name hijacking)?

Why it matters

RDNH findings protect legitimate domain owners, though a panel can only declare it. It does not award money. Panels have found RDNH when a complainant knew it could not win, ignored precedent or filed after a failed purchase attempt. WIPO's overview lists these reasons. Losing a case alone is not RDNH. Owners of generic names should note this, and brand owners should hesitate to file weak complaints. Seek legal advice before replying to any UDRP complaint.

Source: wipo.int

Where we use this term

Related terms

UDRP: The Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy, ICANN's rules for resolving trademark-based complaints about domains. A complainant must show three elements, and the usual remedy is transfer or cancellation.
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.
Trademark: A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies the source of goods or services. It can be registered or based on use, and it can limit how others use similar domain names.
Confusingly similar: Confusingly similar is the first test in a UDRP complaint. It asks whether the domain name is close enough to a trademark that the mark is recognizable in it.
Rights or legitimate interests: Rights or legitimate interests is the second element of a UDRP complaint. It asks whether the domain owner has a real, good-faith reason to hold the name, such as a business, a nickname, or fair use.

All 205 terms

Reverse domain name hijacking (RDNH)

Why it matters

Where we use this term

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