Source: https://iplegalcorner.com/no-time-bar-for-cybersquatting-claims-under-udrp/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 06:24:08+00:00

Document:
Headline in TheDomains.com, June 18, 2016: “Wow: 20 Year Old Domain Name WorldTrade Center.com Lost in UDRP.” For those who don’t follow UDRP decisions carefully this may elicit, how can this be? Well, surprised or not, and assuming complainant has priority in the string of characters that is both a domain name and a trademark —Complainant in World Trade Centers Association, Inc. v. Earth Plaza, CAC 101209 (ADR.eu. June 14, 2016) had 10 years priority over Respondent’s registration of the domain name and there was evidence of its being used in bad faith—delay is not a factor in prevailing on cybersquatting claims when there is an alignment of other factors; although there may be laches-like consequences for waiting too long in the absence of those other factors.
To be clear, the Panel is not relying on laches to come to its conclusion [denying the complaint]. Laches arguments have no place in UDRP cases as Panelists lack equitable powers…. This is simply an issue of whether, with no evidence, it is reasonable to believe Complainant when it claims registration of the disputed domain name that happened 14 years ago was done in bad faith.
Respondent argues that the Complaint in this proceeding should be barred by laches since Complainant is a 161-year-old financial institution managing over USD 7 billion, has outside legal counsel, is sophisticated with regard to trademark law, Internet presence and business in general, and that Complainant would have taken action in a timelier manner had the disputed domain name been disruptive or confusing.
the remedies under the UDRP are injunctive rather than compensatory in nature, and that a principal concern is to avoid ongoing or future confusion as to the source of communications, goods, or services.
While Panels may not call their reasons for dismissing complaints laches the fact is many complaints are dismissed for the reason already noted. What is not accepted under the Policy, or for that matter under the ACPA, is to dismiss complaints under a defense that the claim is barred by the statute of limitations. However, on delay (the dissent in NYLStar notwithstanding) there is no reason to be rigid in accepting it or rejecting it. It makes sense that a stale cybersquatting claim is vulnerable to dismissal because, as a result of the passage of time, complainant cannot marshal evidence that respondent registered the domain name in bad faith. That is the essential explanation in NYLStar. In concurring, the Panel as a whole agreed that Respondent “provided a sufficient explanation and justification for the use of the Domain Name” to satisfy paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Policy.
It should also be pointed out that when a complaint moves from the UDRP to the ACPA delay is not an issue. In DSPT International v. Nahum, 624 F.3d 1213 (9th Cir. 2010) the Court held that “[e]ven if a domain name was put up innocently and used properly for years, a person is liable under 15 U.S.C. §1125(d) if he subsequently uses the domain name with a bad faith intent to profit from the protected mark by holding the domain name for ransom.” An even more dramatic example is Newport News Holdings Corporation v. Virtual City Vision, Incorporated, d/b/a Van James Bond Tran, 650 F3d 423 (4th Cir. 2011). In an earlier UDRP proceeding, Newport News, Inc. v. Vcv Internet, AF-0238 (eResolution July 18, 2000), the Respondent was found to have registered the domain name in good faith but lost it in the ACPA action for subsequently using the domain name in bad faith.
Finally, there should be no confusion between delay and bar of claim. In Guidry v. Louisiana Lightning, LLC, et al, civ-15-6714 (E.D. LA June 2, 2016) the individual defendants moved for summary judgment on the grounds that the cybersquatting claim was untimely. However, they mis-identified the issue by arguing that the statute runs from the first act of infringement rather than the continuing nature of the injury.
In complaining about cybersquatting or defending against it there are evidentiary demands that must be satisfied. That is the reasoning for the Majority in NYLStar accepting delay as a factor in their decisions and it is logical they do so without in any way offending the Policy.

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