{
    "case_number": "CAC-ADREU-001992",
    "time_of_filling": null,
    "domain_names": [],
    "case_administrator": null,
    "complainant": [],
    "complainant_representative": null,
    "respondent": [],
    "respondent_representative": null,
    "factual_background": "Complainant is a German company, active in the field of manufacturing size reduction machines for use in the wood, plastics and chemical sectors.\r\nComplainant registered the trademark Pallmann in Germany in 1989 (the trademark registration is currently in force until 30th November 2009).\r\nOn 16th December 2005 Complainant applied for two .eu domain names: pallmann.eu and pallmann-online.eu (which correspond to the .de domain names used by Complainant).\r\nComplainant states that an application letter was sent for each requested domain name (therefore two cover letters were sent), together with \"a copy of Complainant's trademark registration No. 1 158 411 and a copy of a certification confirming the extension of protection of trademark until November 30, 2009 issued by the German Patent and Trademark Office\" (see paragraph 5 of the Complaint).\r\nAccording to Complainant's own statement, all the above documents were transmitted in a single envelope.\r\nBoth applications were rejected and, in particular, the application for pallmann.eu was rejected on 12th May 2006 and the application for pallmann-online.eu was rejected on 30th March 2006.\r\nAccording to Complainant (who makes reference to a telephone conversation with a Eurid's employees) the application for pallmann-online.eu was rejected because the applicant failed to provide evidence of a \"prior right\" (the trademark Pallmann is not identical to pallmann-online), while the application for pallmann.eu was rejected because no documentary evidence was attached to the application.\r\nComplainant requests that:\r\n1. the Eurid's decision to reject the application for the domain name pallmann.eu is annulled and\r\n2. the above domain name is registered in the name of Complainant.",
    "other_legal_proceedings": "",
    "discussion_and_findings": "While Complainant based its claims on the alleged violation of a general principle which, according to Complainant, requires that all applications should be processed following a fair procedure, Respondent replies that Complainant failed to providence sufficient evidence of a \"prior right\" within the meaning of Regulation 874\/2004.\r\nIn the Panel's opinion, the real point is whether the Validation Agent failed to comply with the due process obligation or not.  \r\nPanel holds that, if such breach of the Validation Agent is ascertained, the Panel should declare Respondent's decision null, irrespective of fulfilment by Complainant of the evidence requirements provided by the applicable rules.\r\nTo support its claims Complainant makes reference to the decision rendered in case 253 (SCHOELLER).  In that case Panelist held that Eurid violated the due process since it did not consider properly a \"change of address and a slightly abbreviated name\", i.e. two circumstances which were clear from the application.\r\nPanel holds that this precedent is not applicable to the present case.  In case 253 the application had been prepared in compliance with section 8(6) of the Sunrise Rules and the rejection was based on two minor formal aspects, which had been incorrectly evaluated (rectius not evaluated) by the Registry and its Validation Agent.\r\nThe violation of the due process was so clear in SCHOELLER that the Panelist's had no alternative than to annull the Registry's decision.\r\nIn this case Complainant did not submit an application in accordance with the above rule.  The circumstance that Complainant did not comply with a formal requirement (one application - one envelope) constitutes sufficient ground for rejection of the application.\r\nAs a consequence Panel is of the opinion that this case should be rather decided on the basis of the principle stated in case 1549 (EPAGES) (incorrectly cited by Respondent as case 1546).  In that case Complainant failed to provide evidence of the existence of a prior right because it simply filed documents regarding an application to register a national trademark.  Complainant argued that Registry should have carried out independent investigations, but Panel made reference to section 21(3) of the Sunrise Rules, which gives Registry the power, at its sole discretion, to carry on such supplementary investigations, but does not create any obligation of the Registry.\r\nIn the case in reference, Complainant failed to submit properly its applications and the Registry rejected them.\r\nIn the opinion of the Panel the Registry did not act negligently nor violated the due process principle.  The Registry decided not to carry on further investigations, in accordance with the rule stated by section 21(3) of the Sunrise Rules.\r\nThe Panel notes “the intention of the legislator” as implicit in the rule of “only one application per envelope” which is clearly intended to avoid confusion between an application and supporting evidence. The rule-maker clearly places the burden of clarity of proof upon the applicant and attempts to compel the applicant to choose and carefully collate its evidence a priori. Unlike Schoeller, where there was one application and one envelope, but where the dispute arose as a result of truncation within the application system and a tiny discrepancy in a postal address, (which renders reasonable an expectation of an attempt by the Validation Agent to be proactive in avoiding injustice and observing the spirit of “fisrt come, first served”) in this case the Complainant was careless to the extent of placing two applications in one envelope, in clear breach of the pre-conditions. This relatively major act of carelessness in the face of clear transparent and pre-published regulations to the contrary is not a fault of the Validation Agent or the Registry but is admitted to as a defect in application by the Complainant. While the Validation Agent may be expected to utilize discretionary powers of investigation in cases where much of the evidence is clearly corroborative or where a resultant rejection is manifestly unjust, neither the Validation Agent nor the Respondent are obliged to go out of their way to correct gross carelessness on the part of the Applicant. Had they done so, rather than perform due dilifence with the Applicant they would be acting to the detriment of Justice with all the other Applicants who had utilized diligence and avoided gross carelessness when preparing and submitting an application. This, in itself would have constituted lack of due process with other applicants for, as is noted in 1614 (TELENET): \r\n\"when there is a queue of applicants a priori entitled to the domain name, it would appear improper if the Validation Agent carried out investigations to help an applicant when that applicant did not fulfill its duties (…) every applicant in the queue has a legitimate expectation to obtain the domain name and therefore, the observance of the application requirements must be strict. This Panel shares the view of the NAGEL case that the principle first-come, first-served is more properly described as \"first-come-and-substantiate, first-served\" (case no. 00119 NAGEL).",
    "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 Complaint is Denied",
    "panelists": [
        null
    ],
    "date_of_panel_decision": "2006-10-10 00:00:00",
    "informal_english_translation": "Registry is not obliged to carry on additional investigations if Applicant files improperly its request for a .eu domain name.\r\n\r\nIn this case Applicant sent two different applications with one single envelope and this led to rejection of both applications.\r\n\r\nPanel distinguished from SCHOELLER in which the application was filed properly but a problem arose due to the application automatic management system, which truncated a name and an address.",
    "decision_domains": [],
    "panelist": null,
    "panellists_text": null
}