Guide to HKIAC Domain Name Dispute Resolution 2nd ed.

The Guide outlines the domain name dispute resolution services offered by HKIAC and provides a wealth of information, including a detailed overview of the proceedings most commonly submitted to HKIAC under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), CNNIC ccTLD Dispute Resolution Policy (CNDRP) and Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy for .hk and . 香港 domain names (HKDRP), in-depth analyses of the most common procedural and legal issues based on HKIAC jurisprudence and case management practice points, helpful flow charts, and relevant statistical tables. For practitioners new to domain name disputes in the Asian region, the Guide also includes sections explaining how experienced panels deal with difficult domain name questions arising from the use of Chinese characters or Chinese Pinyin translations.

The Guide to HKIAC Domain Name Dispute Resolution (2nd Edition, 2022) can be accessed below.

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i. Abbreviations

ii. Glossary of terms

1. Introduction to Domain Name Dispute Resolution

2. Domain Name Dispute Resolution Services at HKIAC

2.1 - Administrative Proceedings under UDRP
2.2 - Administrative Proceedings under CNDRP
2.3 - Administrative Proceedings under HKDRP
2.4 - Other Domain Name Dispute Resolution Services provided by HKIAC
2.5 - HKIAC Domain Name Dispute Resolution Panel
2.6 - ADNDRC Administrative Panel
2.7 - HKIAC Case Statistics

3. Selected Procedural Issues

3.1 - Re-filing a Complaint
3.2 - Time Bars
3.3 - Identity of the Respondent
3.4 - Consolidation of Claims
3.4.1 - Multiple Registrants
3.4.2 - Multiple Related Domain Names
3.5 - Panelist Conflicts of Interest
3.6 - No Response
3.7 - Delayed Responses
3.8 - Settlement or Suspension of Proceedings
3.9 - Consent to Transfer or Cancel Domain Name
3.10 - Language of Proceedings
3.11 - Procedural Orders
3.12 - Appealing the Decision
3.13 - Expiry of Domain Name

4. Selected Legal Issues

4.1 First element: Domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights

4.1.1 - The Test for Identical or Confusingly Similar
4.1.1(a) - Chinese Characters
  4.1.1(b) - Chinese Pinyin
  4.1.1(c) - Pinyin Abbreviation
  4.1.1(d) - Domain Name Contains More than the Full Trademark
      4.1.1(d)(i) - Domain Names Contain a Geographical Identifier
      4.1.1(d)(ii) - Trademark Followed by Suggestive Terms
      4.1.1(d)(iii) - Trademark Followed by Words Without Substantial Meaning
      4.1.1(d)(iv) - Domain Name Contains Two or More Trademarks
  4.1.1(e) - Typosquatting
4.1.2 - Demonstrating Complainant’s rights in trademark or service mark
  4.1.2(a) - Complainant’s Civil Rights or Interests
  4.1.2(b) - Unregistered Trademarks/Trade Names

4.2 Second Element: Respondent has No Rights or Legitimate Interests in Respect of the Domain Name

4.2.1 - Independently Acquired Trademark
4.2.2 - Previous Business Relationships

4.3 Third Element: Domain Name Has Been Registered and Is Being Used in Bad Faith

4.3.1 - Renewal, Re-registration and Transfer
4.3.2 - Complainant’s Reputation
4.3.3 - Website Content Probative of Knowledge
4.3.4 - Passive Holding (Lacking in Active Use)
4.3.5 - Fraudulent Transfers
4.3.6 - Concealment of Ownership
4.3.7 - High–Volume Registrants
4.3.8 - Disrupting Business of Competitors

4.4 Other Legal Issues

4.4.1 - The Effect of National Law
4.4.2 - Cancellation ordered instead of transfer
4.4.3 - Burden of Proof

Annexes

HKIAC Fee Schedules: UDRP, CNDRP, HKDRP
Procedural Flowcharts– Key DNDR Proceedings at HKIAC: UDRP, CNDRP, HKDRP

Acknowledgements

Disclaimer:
The contents of this publication, current at the date of the publication set out in this document, are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.