ICANN have announced that The National Arbitration Forum (FORUM) is to become the first provider of the new Uniform Rapid Suspension System (URS). If you want to resell domain names, you've got to know what’s going on in the industry. Your clients will appreciate your knowledge!
What is URS?
ICANN Define URS as:
“URS is a rights protection mechanism for new gTLDs that facilitates rapid suspension of domain names in clear-cut cases of trademark infringement. It is intended to complement the existing Uniform Domain-Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) by offering a lower-cost, faster path to resolution.”
Whereas Uniform Domain-name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) is open to anyone and can involve complex cases where the resolution is not easily accepted, URS is for trademark owners only. It’s an attempt by ICANN to help trademark owners protect their intellectually property online in a fast and efficient way. URS is also expected to be substantially cheaper than a UDRP.
When can we expect to see URS implemented?
There have been a number of delays to the implementation of URS. Not least because the low price point that ICANN intend to use has not been eagerly taken up by service providers. The two UDRP providers, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and The National Arbitration Forum (FORUM) said they could not meet ICANN’s price point of ‘$300 - $500’. Now that FORUM have agreed a system and price point with ICANN, implementation is expected shortly. With the number of Top Level Domains (TLDs) or domain name extensions set to rocket with the New gTLD programme developing quickly, there’s even more reason to protect trademarks in an efficient way.
Who Are The National Arbitration Forum?
FORUM is a dispute resolution organisation comprising of over 1,600 arbitrators. They are based in the USA. FORUM has been a UDRP provider since the outset and have, to date, handled over 16,000 disputes.
Trademark owners will be hoping that this is the final step in the creation of the URS process and that they’ll soon have access to this extremely efficient dispute resolution process. UDRP cases can be long and complex. URS promises to streamline the process dramatically for clear cut cases.
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