The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center handled nearly 6'200 cases under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) and national country code top-level domain name (ccTLD) variations in 2024. This demonstrates the continued relevance and effectiveness of the UDRP in combating cybersquatting and fraudulent domain name related activities such as phishing.
To be successful in a UDRP complaint, a complainant must establish three essential elements:
- The disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the complainant has rights;
- The registrant (domain name holder) has no rights or legitimate interests in the domain name; and
- The domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith.
If a UDRP panel finds that all three elements are satisfied, it will order the transfer of the disputed domain name to the complainant or, if requested by the complainant, the cancellation of the domain name.
While the UDRP provides an efficient and cost-effective way to resolve domain name disputes, it is important to note that there are limitations: The UDRP is designed to address a specific type of dispute and is not appropriate for resolving all domain name-related conflicts. The UDRP focuses on cases involving bad faith registrations and use of domain names that infringe trademarks, and primarily addresses clear-cut cases of cybersquatting. If the registrant of the domain name has some sort of legitimate interest in the domain name, such as being the owner of a trademark or company name, the UDRP is not the right tool.
WIPO Domain Name Report 2024 available here: https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/news/2025/news_0001.html
