WIPO Advanced Workshop on Domain Name Dispute Resolution: Update on Precedent and Practice

WIPO, Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday and Wednesday, October 23 and 24, 2012

Overview

The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center is internationally recognized as the leading institution in the resolution of Internet domain name disputes. Since December 1999, the WIPO Center has administered over 39,000 proceedings, of which over 22,000 under the WIPO-initiated Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) adopted by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The UDRP applies to disputes in the generic top-level domains (gTLDs) (e.g., .com, .net, .org, .mobi, and any New gTLDs) as well as many country code top-level domains (ccTLDs).

The UDRP provides holders of trademark rights with an administrative mechanism for the efficient resolution of disputes arising out of the bad-faith registration and use by third parties of Internet domain names corresponding to those trademark rights.

The evolving nature of the domain name registration system is of growing relevance for trademark owners around the world, with record levels of UDRP cases filed with the WIPO Center, and an increasing demand for training in this area. The Workshop will pay particular attention to the numerous developments in relation to UDRP decision precedent and process, and will include an update on ICANN and New gTLD developments.

Faculty

Faculty for this Workshop will consist of experienced WIPO UDRP panelists with extensive domain name expertise, and senior legal staff of the WIPO Center.

Presentations

bernstein   willoughby
David H. Bernstein
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
New York
USA
  Tony Willoughby
IP Consultant
London
United Kingdom

Breakouts

barbero harris
Luca Barbero
Studio Barbero
Torino
Italy
Matthew Harris
Waterfront Solicitors LLP
London
United Kingdom
Brigitte Joppich
Attorney
Würzburg
Germany
lothian lyon towns
Andrew D. S. Lothian
Demys Limited
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Richard G. Lyon
Attorney and Dispute Resolution Professional
Bozeman
USA
Bill Towns
Novak Druce + Quigg LLP
Houston
USA

Full profiles of the faculty are available at www.wipo.int/amc/en/events/workshops/2012/domainname/profiles/.

Program

Through various presentations and exercises, participants in the Workshop will receive information on, inter alia:

  • the WIPO Center's domain name dispute resolution services
  • the legal framework of the UDRP
  • building on the WIPO Overview 2.0, the trends of UDRP decisions on the most important substantive and procedural issues
  • emerging challenges and procedural developments
  • developments in the Domain Name System more generally, including future dispute resolution options

Using the WIPO Overview 2.0 and latest decisions as principal guides, the instructors will introduce selected topics and discuss these with the participants on the basis of UDRP case scenarios. Examples include Geographical Scope and Timing of Trademark, Unregistered Trademark Rights, Personal Names / Geographical Terms, Licensee Rights, Rights Among Corporate Entities, Confusing Similarity and Website Content, Gripe Sites, Internationalized Domain Names, Disclaimed or Design Elements in Trademarks, Privacy and other Registrar issues, Parking and Landing Pages, Willful Blindness, the Conjunctive Requirements, the Role of Precedent, Laches, Consolidation, Procedural Orders, Supplemental Filings, Language of Proceedings and Reverse Domain Name Hijacking.

Who Should Attend

The target audience for this Workshop includes practitioners who already have some experience with the UDRP through case filing or previous Workshops, as well as those who may become involved in UDRP proceedings. Registrars and ccTLD administrators may also take this opportunity to increase their knowledge of the UDRP process and current issues in the Domain Name System.

Participants will be expected to have a basic understanding of the domain name system in general and the UDRP process in particular. Course material will be provided ahead of the program. Proficiency in English is essential for participation.

Certificate of Participation (including for CLE/CPD)

All participants who complete the program will be awarded a certificate of participation. Those who have applied for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) or Continuing Professional development (CPD) credit will receive a special certificate to this effect.

Program Information

Venue Timetable Language
WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland The program will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the first day and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second.  A cocktail will be offered on the first evening English

Registration and Fee

Participation Registration Fee Cancellations How to apply
Participation in the Workshop will be limited to 50 persons 1,400 Swiss francs.  Please refer to the Registration Form for a full schedule of fees The registration fee paid to WIPO will be refunded only for cancellations received before October 2, 2012 Through the Registration Form or online

Hotel Accommodation and Other Useful Information

Information is available at www.wipo.int/amc/en/events/practical-information/.

Contact Details

WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

34, chemin des Colombettes 1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
T +4122 338 8247
F +4122 740 8337
E arbiter.meetings@wipo.int
W www.wipo.int/amc/

Other Events Organized by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center

Further information is available at www.wipo.int/amc/en/events/.