Source: https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=D2012-1477
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 18:16:52+00:00

Document:
Complainant is Swarovski Aktiengesellschaft of Triesen, Liechtenstein, represented by LegalBase (Pvt) Limited, Sri Lanka.
Respondent is Yuenan of Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
The disputed domain name <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> is registered with Bizcn.com, Inc. (the “Registrar”).
The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the ”Center”) on July 20, 2012. On July 20, 2012, the Center transmitted by email to the Registrar a request for registrar verification in connection with the disputed domain name. On July 24, 2012, the Registrar transmitted by email to the Center its verification response confirming that Respondent is listed as the registrant and providing the contact details. On July 24, 2012, the Center transmitted an email to the parties in both the Chinese and English language regarding the language of proceedings. On July 30, 2012, Complainant confirmed its request that English be the language of proceedings. Respondent did not comment on the language of proceedings by the specified due date.
In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2(a) and 4(a), the Center formally notified Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on August 3, 2012. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5(a), the due date for Response was August 23, 2012. Respondent did not submit any response. Accordingly, the Center notified Respondent’s default on August 24, 2012.
The Center appointed Yijun Tian as the sole panelist in this matter on September 5, 2012. 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, Swarovski Aktiengesellschaft, is a company incorpated in Triesen, Liechtenstein. Swarovski is a leading producer of cut crystal, genuine gemstones and created stones with production facilities in 18 countries, distribution to 42 countries and a presence in more than 120 countries.
Complainant has exclusive rights in the SWAROVSKI Marks. Complainant is the exclusive owner of famous and well-known registered trademarks globally (see Annex B to the Complaint), including China (since 1987; see Annex C to the Complaint). It also owns the domain name registrations <swarovski.com> (since January 11, 1996) and <swarovski.net> (since April 16, 1998) and multiple other domain names incorporating the SWAROVSKI Marks (see Annexes I and J to the Complaint).
Respondent is Yuenan of Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. The disputed domain name <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> was registered on December 20, 2011, long after the SWAROVSKI Marks became internationally famous (Annex A to the Complaint).
(a) Complainant is the exclusive owner of trademark rights in the SWAROVSKI Marks.
Complainant is a leading producer of cut crystal, genuine gemstones and created stones.
Complainant has registered the SWAROVSKI Marks globally (an excerpt of a selection of the registrations is attached as Annex B to the Complaint), including China (Annex C to the Complaint).
Complainant has registered several domain names, including <swarovski.com> and <swarovski.net>.
Both of these domain names point to Complainant’s official website, located at “www.swarovski.com” (Annex I and Annex J to the Complaint).
(b) The disputed domain name was improperly registered and is being improperly used.
Respondent registered the disputed domain name on December 20, 2011.
Respondent is using the disputed domain name to confuse consumers into believing that the website at the disputed domain name (the “Website”) is an official website of Complainant and/or Respondent is affiliated with or authorised to sell products by Complainant.
Respondent is operating an English-based online shop that offers various purported Swarovski products for sale, such as “Swarovski Necklaces”, “Swarovski Sets”, “Swarovski Earrings”, “Swarovski Bracelets”, “Swarovski Charms”, “Swarovski Beads” and more (Annex K to the Complaint).
Respondent has listed “Swarovski Crystal” as the manufacturer of some of the products, for example, the “admiral flying elements of Rose Swarovski Crystal Necklaces”. Respondent does not at any point identify himself as being independent from Complainant.
The disputed domain name is a blatant infringement of the SWAROVSKI Marks and no bona fide use is being made of the disputed domain name. Respondent is trying to pass himself off as Complainant and is exploiting the goodwill associated with the SWAROVSKI Marks in order to obtain commercial gain.
(c) The disputed domain name is identical and confusingly similar to the SWAROVSKI Marks.
UDRP administrative panels have recognised that consumers expect to find a trademark owner on the Internet at a domain name address comprised of the company’s name or mark.
Respondent has used the SWAROVSKI Marks in the disputed domain name so as to cause confusion among Internet users between the disputed domain name and Complainant approved websites.
Misdirecting Internet users to the disputed domain name takes advantage of this confusion.
This type of initial interest confusion or diversion of traffic is illegal because it wrongfully capitalises on Complainant’s goodwill in the SWAROVSKI Marks.
The addition of the terms ”beads” and “outlet” as suffixes to the SWAROVSKI Marks does not lessen the confusing similarity between the disputed domain name and Complainant’s mark.
UDRP panels have also held that a domain name is confusingly similar to a trademark when the domain name incorporates the mark in its entirety. Using the SWAROVSKI Marks in its entirety in the disputed domain name does not lessen the finding of confusing similarity.
(d) Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name.
Complainant’s rights in the SWAROVSKI Marks have been recognised by several UDRP administrative panels.
Respondent has no rights or legitimate interest in the disputed domain name. Respondent has no connection or affiliation with Swarovski and has not received any license or consent, express or implied, to use the SWAROVSKI Marks in a domain name or in any other manner.
Respondent has never been known by the disputed domain name and has no legitimate interest in the SWAROVSKI Marks or the name “Swarovski”.
The disputed domain name is being used to advertise purported Swarovski products and the disputed domain name misdirects Internet traffic to the Website. Such a use is contrary to a bona fide offering of goods or services or a legitimate interest in the disputed domain name.
Respondent has used the SWAROVSKI Marks in the disputed domain name to create the impression that it is associated with Complainant. Respondent’s misappropriation of the disputed domain name was no accident.
Respondent’s use of the SWAROVSKI Marks is clearly for the purpose of misleading consumers into believing that the Respondent and the Website are associated with or approved by Complainant.
Previous UDRP panels have held that when a respondent chooses to incorporate a well-known trademark (like the SWAROVSKI Marks) into a domain name without the authorisation of the trademark holder that this cannot be considered a bona fide offering.
(e) The disputed domain name was registered and is being used in bad faith.
Respondent has registered the disputed domain name in bad faith because it was registered with the knowledge of Complainant’s rights in the SWAROVSKI Marks, as it is inconceivable that Respondent was unaware of Complainant’s rights in the SWAROVSKI Marks.
Respondent’s selection of the disputed domain name, which wholly incorporates the SWAROVSKI Marks, cannot be a coincidence as “Swarovski” is not a descriptive or generic term; it is a famous and well-known trademark.
The Website advertises for sale various purported Swarovski products. Registration of a famous mark, like the SWAROVSKI Marks, as a domain name by an entity that has no legitimate relationship with the mark is itself sufficient to demonstrate bad faith.
Previous UDRP administrative panels have found that coupling a descriptive word with complainant’s mark or even a word similar to complainant’s mark in a domain name constitutes bad faith on the part of respondent.
Complainant’s trademarks are well-known in China and worldwide, and the disputed domain name is confusingly similar to the registered trademarks of Complainant.
Respondent has done nothing to identify itself as being independent from Complainant. On the contrary, Respondent has incorporated SWAROVSKI Marks in the disputed domain name, throughout the Website and purports to sell Swarovski products.
Many UDRP panelists have held that Respondent’s very method of using the exact SWAROVSKI Marks to lure consumers to his website demonstrates bad faith use under the Policy.
Respondent’s registration and use of the disputed domain name creates “initial interest confusion”, which attracts Internet users to the Website because of its purported affiliation with Complainant.
Respondent is attempting to attract consumers for ”commercial gain” to the disputed domain name by utilising the SWAROVSKI Marks. Respondent, without valid consent, utilises the SWAROVSKI Marks throughout the Website and offers products identical to or similar to Complainant’s products for sale.
(a) The content on the Website is in English.
(b) Respondent therefore appears operate internationally in multiple languages.
(c) SWAROVSKI is an international brand with registered marks in multiple jurisdictions whose international business primarily operates in English.
The Panel has taken into consideration the facts that Complainant is a company from Liechtenstein, and Complainant will be spared the burden of working in Chinese as the language of the proceedings. The Panel has also taken into consideration the facts that the websites at the disputed domain name includes Latin characters “Swarovski” and English words “beads” and “outlet” (Compagnie Gervais Danone v. Xiaole Zhang, WIPO Case No. D2008-1047).
On the record, Respondent appears to be a Chinese individual and is thus presumably not a native English speaker, but the Panel finds persuasive evidence in the present proceeding to suggest that Respondent has sufficient knowledge of English. In particular, the Panel notes that, based on the evidence provided by Complainant, (a) the disputed domain name <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> is registered in Latin characters and particularly in English language, rather than Chinese script; (b) the Website at the disputed domain name is an English-based website and Respondent is apparently doing business in English through this website (Annex K to the Complaint); (c) the Website appears to have been directed to users worldwide (particularly English speakers) rather than Chinese speakers; (d) the Center has notified Respondent of the proceedings in both Chinese and English, and Respondent has indicated no objection to Complainant’s request that English be the language of the proceedings; (e) the Center informed Respondent that it would accept a Response in either English or Chinese.
The Panel finds that Complainant has rights in the SWAROVSKI Marks acquired through registration. The SWAROVSKI Marks have been registered worldwide including in China, and Complainant has a widespread reputation in producing cut crystal, genuine gemstones and created stones.
The disputed domain name <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> comprises the SWAROVSKI Mark in its entirety. The disputed domain name only differs from Complainant’s trademark by the addition of the words “beads” and “outlet” to the mark SWAROVSKI. This does not seem to eliminate the identity or at least the similarity between Complainant’s registered trademark and the disputed domain name.
The mere addition of the descriptive terms “beads” and “outlet” as suffixes to Complainant’s mark fails to distinguish to this Panel the disputed domain name from Complainant’s trademark. By contrast, it may increase the likelihood of confusion. “Beads” are one of products of Complainant. One of common meanings of the term “outlet” is a store that sells the goods of a particular manufacturer or wholesaler. Internet users who visit <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> are likely to be confused and may falsely believe that <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> is an online shop operated by Complainant for selling SWAROVSKI-branded products, particularly beads. Thus, the Panel finds that the additions are not sufficient to negate the confusing similarity between the disputed domain name and the SWAROVSKI Marks.
Complainant has rights in the SWAROVSKI Marks globally (international registration - see Annex B to the Complaint), including registration in China since 1987 – (see Annex C to the Complaint) which long precedes Respondent’s registration of the disputed domain name (December 20, 2011).
According to Complainant, Complainant is the world’s leading producer of cut crystal, genuine gemstones and created stones with production facilities in 18 countries, distribution to 42 countries and a presence in more than 120 countries. In 2011, Complainant’s products were sold in 1,218 of its own boutiques and through 1,000 partner-operated boutiques worldwide. Complainant’s approximate worldwide revenue in 2011 was EUR 2.87 billion.
Moreover, Respondent is not an authorized dealer of SWAROVSKI branded products. Complainant has therefore established a prima facie case that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name and thereby shifted the burden to Respondent to produce evidence to rebut this presumption (The Argento Wine Company Limited v. Argento Beijing Trading Company, supra; Do The Hustle, LLC v. Tropic Web, WIPO Case No. D2000-0624; Croatia Airlines d.d. v. Modern Empire Internet Ltd., WIPO Case No. D2003-0455).
(b) There has been no evidence adduced to show that Respondent has been commonly known by the disputed domain name. There has been no evidence adduced to show that Respondent has any registered trademark rights with respect to the disputed domain name. Respondent registered the disputed domain name <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> on December 20, 2011. The disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to Complainant’s SWAROVSKI Marks.
(c) There has been no evidence adduced to show that Respondent is making a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the disputed domain name. By contrast, according to the information provided by Complainant, Respondent was in actuality advertising, offering and selling purported Swarovski products at <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> (Annex K to the Complaint).
The Panel finds that Complainant has a widespread reputation in the SWAROVSKI Mark with regard to its products. Complainant has registered its SWAROVSKI Marks internationally, including registration in China (since 1987). Moreover, the Website advertises for sale various purported Swarovski products. Respondent would likely not have advertised products purporting to be Swarovski products on the Website if it was unaware of Complainant‘s reputation. In the other words, it is not conceivable to the Panel that Respondent would not have had actual notice of Complainant’s trademark right at the time of the registration of the disputed domain name. The Panel therefore finds that the SWAROVSKI Mark is not one that traders could legitimately adopt other than for the purpose of creating an impression of an association with Complainant. (The Argento Wine Company Limited v. Argento Beijing Trading Company, supra).
Moreover, Respondent has chosen not to formally respond to Complainant’s allegations. According to the panel’s decision in The Argento Wine Company Limited v. Argento Beijing Trading Company, supra, “the failure of the Respondent to respond to the Complaint further supports an inference of bad faith”. (See also Bayerische Motoren Werke AG v. (This Domain is For Sale) Joshuathan Investments, Inc., WIPO Case No. D2002-0787). Thus, the Panel concludes that the disputed domain name was registered in bad faith with the intent to create an impression of an association with Complainant’s SWAROVSKI branded products.
Complainant has adduced evidence to prove that by using a confusingly similar disputed domain name, Respondent has “intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to Respondent’s websites” offering purportedly Complainant’s SWAROVSKI branded products and services without authorization. Complainant claimed that Respondent is attempting to attract consumers for “commercial gain” to the disputed domain name by utilising the SWAROVSKI Marks.
Given the widespread reputation of the SWAROVSKI Marks (as well as the content on the Website mentioned above), the Panel finds that the public is likely to be confused into thinking that the disputed domain name has a connection with Complainant, contrary to the fact. There is a strong likelihood of confusion as to source, sponsorship, affiliation or endorsement of the website to which the disputed domain name is resolved (see Annexes I and K to the Complaint). In other words, Respondent has through the use of a confusingly similar domain name and webpage contents created a likelihood of confusion with the SWAROVSKI Marks. Noting also that apparently no clarification as to Respondent’s relationship to Complainant is made on the homepage of the disputed domain name, potential Internet users are led to believe that the website at <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> is either Complainant’s sites or the sites of official authorized agents of Complainant, which it is not. Moreover, Respondent has not responded formally to the Complaint. The Panel therefore concludes that the disputed domain name was used by Respondent in bad faith.
In summary, Respondent, by choosing to register and use a domain name which is confusingly similar to Complainant’s trademark, intended to ride on the goodwill of Complainant’s trademark in an attempt to exploit, for commercial gain, Internet users destined for Complainant. In the absence of evidence to the contrary and rebuttal from Respondent, the choice of the disputed domain name and the conduct of Respondent as far as the Website on to which the disputed domain name resolves is indicative of registration and use of the disputed domain name in 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 disputed domain name at <swarovskibeadsoutlet.com> be transferred to Complainant.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.