Source: https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2006/d2006-0262.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 14:06:26+00:00

Document:
Complainant is Windsmoor (London) Limited, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Respondent is Balata Inc, Tel Aviv, Israel.
The disputed Domain Name <windsmoor.com> is registered with eNom.
The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the “Center”) on March 2, 2006. On March 2, 2006, the Center transmitted by email to eNom a request for registrar verification in connection with the domain name at issue. On March 3, 2006, eNom transmitted by email to the Center its verification response confirming that Respondent is listed as the registrant and providing the contact details for the administrative, billing, and technical contact. The Center verified that the Complaint satisfied the formal requirements of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Policy”), the Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Rules”), and the WIPO Supplemental Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Supplemental Rules”).
In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2(a) and 4(a), the Center formally notified Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on March 8, 2006. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5(a), the due date for Response was March�28,�2006. Respondent sent an email with short comments on March�8,�2006. On March 15, 2006, the Center acknowledged Respondent’s comments inviting the same to forward its Response to the Complaint. The Center notified Respondent’s default on March 29, 2006. Respondent on the same date informed the Center that he had already responded to the Complaint with its email of March 8, 2006.
The Center appointed Fabrizio Bedarida as the sole panelist in this matter on April�4,�2006. The Panel finds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the Rules, paragraph 7.
Complainant has been registered in England and Wales under the name Windsmoor (London) Limited since January 1, 1946. Complainant is a company within the Jacques Vert Group, which designs, manufactures and sells ladies clothing and accessories under the name Windsmoor as evidenced by the brochures and labels provided and by its website at <windsmoor.co.uk>. Complainant holds, either directly or via its fellow subsidiary, Baird Textile Holdings Limited, registrations of the Windsmoor trade mark around the world in respect of clothing and accessories, including the following: European Community Trade Mark No. E547257 filed in May�1997, UK Trade Mark No. 2218158 filed in December 1999 and UK Trade Mark No.�576500.
Complainant registered the Domain Name <windsmoor.co.uk> on April 1997.
Respondent registered the disputed Domain Name <windsmoor.com> on September�21, 2004.
9) It is one of a series of registrations that Respondent has made, which because of their number, type and pattern, prove that Respondent is in the habit of making registrations of domain names which correspond to trade marks or other well known names in which Respondent has no apparent interest.
10) Respondent has already been involved in several proceedings: i.e. Marionnaud Parfumeries v. Balata, Inc., WIPO Case Nos. D2005-0291 and Boscolo Tours S.p.A. v. Balata Inc., D2005-0970 and Nominet UK DRS Nos. 02370, 02863,02455 and 02462, all disputes against Respondent on similar grounds to the above in which the respective domain names were transferred to Complainant.
11) Respondent has also registered the domain name <jacquesvert.co.uk> another trade mark of the Jacques Vert Group and <phaseeight.co.uk>, another well known clothing business in the UK, both of which lead to the same portal. This series of registrations must render the Domain Name registration automatically abusive.
The disputed domain name <windsmoor.com> is identical to Complainant’s trademark WINDSMOOR, the only difference being the gTLD .com. As was affirmed in Busy Body, Inc. v. Fitness Outlet Inc., WIPO Case No. D2000-0127 “the addition of the generic top-level domain (gTLD) name ‘.com’ is … without legal significance since use of a gTLD is required of domain name registrants”).
Respondent did not deny that Complainant owns trademark registrations for WINDSMOOR, but submits that Respondent registered (“bought”) the domain name because it is combined of two generic words: Winds & Moor.
“This Panel believes that the Registered Trademarks for CYBERBINGO are prima facie evidence of validity and the proper forum for considering if the trademark CYBERBINGO lacks distinctiveness is cancellation or invalidity proceedings”.
With respect to Paragraph 4(a)(i) of Policy, the Panel finds that Complainant has rights in the trademark WINDSMOOR and that the domain name <windsmoor.com> is identical to a registered trademark in which Complainant has established rights.
c) that respondent intends to make a legitimate, non-commercial or fair use of the domain name without intent for commercial gain to misleadingly divert consumers or to tarnish the trademark.
Respondent has no connection or affiliation with Complainant, who has not licensed or otherwise authorised Respondent to use or apply for any domain name incorporating Complainant’s trademark. Respondent has not given any facts or elements to justify prior rights and/or legitimate interest in the disputed domain name. Respondent does not appear to make any legitimate use of the domain name for non-commercial activities. On the contrary, Respondent is, for his own commercial gain, diverting internet users looking for Complainant’s services to the website associated with the disputed domain name, where competing products similar to those of Complainant (i.e. clothing) are offered.
iv) by using the domain name, the holder has intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to the holder’s web site or other online location, by creating a likelihood of confusion with Complainant’s mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of the holder’s web site or location or of a product or service on the holder’s web site or location.
As regards Respondent’s use of the domain name, it appears that, before the start of the present proceeding, Respondent’s domain name was used to present to Internet users a webpage on which several hyperlinks were displayed. By clicking on these hyperlinks, users were directed to competing third parties commercial websites. While, actually presented on the website “www.windsmoor.com” are several hyperlinks related to various items: travel, business, shopping etc.
By deflecting users, Respondent has shown bad faith use of the domain name that clearly falls within the example given in paragraph�4(a)(iv) of the Policy: “by using the domain name, you have intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to your web site or other on-line location, by creating a likelihood of confusion with complainant’s mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of your web site or location or of a product or service on your web site or location”.
The fact that Respondent registered several domain names corresponding to third parties registered trademarks among which there is also the domain name <jacquesvert.co.uk>, corresponding to another of Complainant’s registered trademarks, is further inference that Respondent had actual knowledge of Complainant’s activity and trademarks.
In view of the above and in the absence of contrary evidence, the Panel finds that there are good reasons to believe that Respondent had actual knowledge of Complainant’s trademarks when it registered the disputed domain name. The Panel, in accordance with previous decisions issued under the UDRP, is of the opinion that actual knowledge of Complainant’s trademark and activities at the time of the registration of the disputed domain may be considered an inference of bad faith (See�Parfums Christian Dior v. Javier Garcia Quintas and Christiandior.net, WIPO Case No.�D2000-0226 and Sony Kabushiki Kaisha (also trading as Sony Corporation) v. Inja, Kil, WIPO Case No.�D2000-1409, “It is inconceivable that the Respondent could make any active use of the disputed domain name without creating a false impression of association with the Complainant. The Respondent was not authorised by the Complainant to use neither its mark nor any of the disputed domain names”.
The advertisement “this domain name is for sale”, placed on the website “www.windsmoor.com”, suggests that Respondent intended to sell the disputed domain name.
In view of the above, the Panel finds that Respondent’s activities create a pattern of conduct, since Respondent appears to be engaged in the registration of a series of third parties trademarks.
It is the Panel’s opinion that Respondent’s activities demonstrate bad faith registration and use pursuant to Policy paragraph 4(b)(ii). See, Lowen Corporation d/b/a Lowen Sign Company v. Henry Chan, WIPO Case No.D2004-0430, where the Panel affirmed that the fact that respondent has been involved in a large number of cases under the UDRP proves that respondent’s use and registration of the disputed domain names fall within the concept of bad faith.
For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the domain name <windsmoor.com> be transferred to Complainant.

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