{
    "case_number": "CAC-ADREU-006629",
    "time_of_filling": null,
    "domain_names": [
        "natwestplc.eu"
    ],
    "case_administrator": "Lada Válková (Case admin)",
    "complainant": [
        "Ms. Suzanne Wright (National Westminster Bank Plc.)"
    ],
    "complainant_representative": null,
    "respondent": [
        "Andrew Culloo"
    ],
    "respondent_representative": null,
    "factual_background": "The Complainant, a well known bank trading under the name National Westminster bank since 1970, is a public limited company incorporated in London which trades worldwide and is the proprietor of the NATWEST trade mark with a Community Trade Mark no 4319083 registered for, inter alia, financial services in Class 36. It operates websites at natwest.com and natwest.co.uk. NATWEST is a well known mark.\r\n\r\nThe Respondent registered the disputed domain name (\"the Domain Name\") on September 15, 2013. The Respondent has used the name to pass itself off as the Complainant in a phishing scam using a fraudulent web site identical to the Complainant's to obtain financial information from customers for the purpose of fraud.  The website is currently not active, but is still in the hands of the Respondent.",
    "other_legal_proceedings": "",
    "discussion_and_findings": "Under Article 21 (1) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 874\/2004 (\"the Regulation\") in order to succeed under this dispute resolution procedure a Complainant must show that the Domain Name is identical or confusingly similar to a name in respect of which a right is recognised or established by national and\/or Community law and the Domain Name:\r\n\r\n(a) has been registered by its holder without rights or legitimate interest in the name; or \r\n\r\n(b) has been registered or is being used in bad faith. \r\n\r\nThe Complainant is the proprietor of the NATWEST trade mark and owns a Community Trade Mark registration no 4319083 registered for, inter alia, financial services in Class 36.   \r\n\r\nThe dominant part of the Domain Name comprises the term natwest which is identical to the Complainant's registered trade mark NATWEST and combines it with the suffix \"PLC\" which is generally understood as meaning public limited company. The Complainant is a public limited company and the Panel agrees with the Complainant that the use of this generic term simply serves to strengthen the impression that the Domain Name belongs to or is affiliated with the Complainant and is not sufficient to distinguish the Domain Name from the Complainant's mark. The top level domain \".eu\" is ignored for the purposes of this comparison under the Policy.  The Domain Name is confusingly similar to the Complainant's NATWEST trade mark within Article 21 (1) of the Regulation. \r\n\r\nThe Respondent registered the Domain Name on September 15, 2013. It does not appear to have any registered rights or trade usage associating it with the name Natwest. It does not appear to be commonly known by the name. The evidence shows that the Respondent has used the Domain Name to pass itself off as the Complainant in a phishing scam using a fraudulent web site identical to the Complainant's to obtain financial information from customers for the purpose of fraud.  The Panel agrees with the Complainant that this is not a bona fide offering of goods and service, nor a legitimate fair or non commercial usage without intent to mislead customers or harm the reputation of the Complainant's name. The Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the Domain Name within the meaning of Article 21 (2) of the Regulation. \r\n\r\nThe Panel agrees with the Complainant that it is obvious from the fraudulent use that the Respondent was aware of the Complainant and its rights when it registered the Domain Name. By using the Domain Name for a fraudulent site the Respondent is confusing customers as to the origin of its web site and the services offered thereon for his own commercial gain. As such the Respondent has registered and is using the Domain Name in bad faith and falls within the ambit of Article 21 (3) (d) of the Regulation.",
    "decision": "For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with Paragraphs B12 (b) and (c) of the Rules, the Panel orders that\r\n\r\nthe domain name NATWESTPLC be transferred to the Complainant",
    "panelists": [
        null
    ],
    "date_of_panel_decision": "2014-03-05 00:00:00",
    "informal_english_translation": "I.      Disputed domain name: natwestplc.eu\r\n\r\nII.     Country of the Complainant: United Kingdom, country of the Respondent: United Kingdom\r\n\r\nIII.    Date of registration of the domain name: 15 September 2013\r\n\r\nIV.    Rights relied on by the Complainant (Art. 21 (1) Regulation (EC) No 874\/2004) on which the Panel based its decision:\r\n        1.   Word trademark registered as a CTM, reg. No. 4319083, for the term NATWEST, filed on 31 March 2005, registered on 17 may 2006 in respect of goods and services in classes 9, 16, 35, 36, 38, 41 and 42. \r\n        \r\nV.    Response submitted: No\r\n\r\nVI.   Domain name is confusingly similar to the protected rights of the Complainant\r\n\r\nVII.  Rights or legitimate interests of the Respondent (Art. 21 (2) Regulation (EC) No 874\/2004):\r\n        1. No\r\n        2. Why: Not bona fide use for goods and services, not legitimate non commercial or fair use, fraudulent commercial use \r\n\r\nVIII. Bad faith of the Respondent (Art. 21 (3) Regulation (EC) No 874\/2004):\r\n        1. Yes\r\n        2. Why: Fraudulent commercial use of the Domain Name to confuse Internet users between the Domain Name and the website of the Respondent and the services offered thereon and the Complainant's NATWEST trade mark for commercial gain \r\n\r\nIX.   Other substantial facts the Panel considers relevant: Domain name has been used for fraudulent criminal activity, namely fraud. \r\n\r\nX.    Dispute Result: Transfer of the disputed domain name\r\n\r\nXI.   Procedural factors the Panel considers relevant:\r\n\r\nXII.  [If transfer to Complainant] Is Complainant eligible? Yes",
    "decision_domains": [],
    "panelist": null,
    "panellists_text": null
}