Case number | CAC-ADREU-004723 |
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Time of filing | 2007-10-17 10:17:44 |
Domain names | videx.eu |
Case administrator
Name | Josef Herian |
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Complainant
Organization / Name | BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB BELGIUM S.A., . |
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Respondent
Organization / Name | Aphrodite Ventures, Ltd., Aphrodite Ventures, Ltd. |
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Insert information about other legal proceedings the Panel is aware of which are pending or decided and which relate to the disputed domain name
None.
Factual Background
The Complainant, Bristol-Meyers Squibb Belgium S.A., is part of a major pharmaceutical group which possesses trademarks in many countries for an anti-viral product denominated as Videx that is sold worldwide for treatment of HIV infection. The Complainant submitted voluminous evidence of the trademarks it holds.
The Respondent is a UK company to whom videx.eu was registered at the beginning of the "landrush" period. This was the point when .eu domain names not applied for by claimants of prior rights during a "sunrise" period became available to any eligible applicant on a first-come, first-served basis.
Following submission of the Complaint, the Respondent in its Response stated that it was "willing to transfer the domain name without due delay if the claimant withdraws the ADR".
The Czech Arbitration Court then intervened to point out a procedural defect in the Response, namely the absence of assurance that a hard copy of the Response was being sent to the Court. The Respondent amended its Response to provide that assurance.
On 20 December 2007 the Court informed the Parties that the expected latest date for decision in this case was Sunday 20 January 2008.
No further communication was made by either Party.
The Respondent is a UK company to whom videx.eu was registered at the beginning of the "landrush" period. This was the point when .eu domain names not applied for by claimants of prior rights during a "sunrise" period became available to any eligible applicant on a first-come, first-served basis.
Following submission of the Complaint, the Respondent in its Response stated that it was "willing to transfer the domain name without due delay if the claimant withdraws the ADR".
The Czech Arbitration Court then intervened to point out a procedural defect in the Response, namely the absence of assurance that a hard copy of the Response was being sent to the Court. The Respondent amended its Response to provide that assurance.
On 20 December 2007 the Court informed the Parties that the expected latest date for decision in this case was Sunday 20 January 2008.
No further communication was made by either Party.
A. Complainant
The Complainant invoked Art. 21 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 874/2004 (speculative and abusive registrations), denying the Respondent had any right or legitimate interest in the name "videx" and supporting this contention with screenshot evidence of the Respondent's www.videx.eu website that showed no particular connection between the website's content and the name "videx". Various other contentions were also made, but these do not require consideration in light of the main contention being uncontested.
B. Respondent
The Respondent took no position on the Complainant's contentions.
Discussion and Findings
The Panel takes note of the Respondent's willingness for the domain name videx.eu to be transferred to the Complainant. It still remains for the Panel to determine whether the Complainant has made out its case.
1. The Complainant has shown in the evidence it submitted that it has a right which is recognised or established by national and/or Community law in the sense of Art. 21 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 874/2004.
2. It has also proved in its evidence that:
(i) the domain name is identical to its registered denomination "Videx"; and
(ii) the domain name has been registered by the Respondent without rights or legitimate
interest in the name, as shown by the absence of any particular connection between the content of the Respondent's www.videx.eu website and the name "videx".
Such proof therefore meets the requirements of Art. B11(d) of the ADR Rules.
The Panel lastly notes that the Complainant submitted extensive evidence as to its eligibility for eu registration but that this is not an issue on which the Panel is called upon to decide.
1. The Complainant has shown in the evidence it submitted that it has a right which is recognised or established by national and/or Community law in the sense of Art. 21 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 874/2004.
2. It has also proved in its evidence that:
(i) the domain name is identical to its registered denomination "Videx"; and
(ii) the domain name has been registered by the Respondent without rights or legitimate
interest in the name, as shown by the absence of any particular connection between the content of the Respondent's www.videx.eu website and the name "videx".
Such proof therefore meets the requirements of Art. B11(d) of the ADR Rules.
The Panel lastly notes that the Complainant submitted extensive evidence as to its eligibility for eu registration but that this is not an issue on which the Panel is called upon to decide.
Decision
For the foregoing reasons, and in accordance with Arts. B11 (d) and 12 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the domain name videx.eu be transferred to the Complainant.
PANELISTS
Name | Dr Kevin Madders |
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Date of Panel Decision
2008-01-18