Uniform Domain-Name-Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP)
General Information
All registrars in the .com, .net, and .org top-level domains follow
the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (often referred
to as the "UDRP"). Under the policy, most types of
trademark-based domain-name disputes must be resolved by
agreement, court action, or arbitration before a registrar will
cancel, suspend, or transfer a domain name. Disputes alleged to
arise from abusive registrations of domain names (for example,
cyber-squatting) may be addressed by expedited administrative
proceedings that the holder of trademark rights initiates by
filing a complaint with an approved dispute-resolution service
provider.
To invoke the policy, a trademark owner should either (a) file a
complaint in a court of proper jurisdiction against the
domain-name holder (or where appropriate an in-rem action
concerning the domain name) or (b) in cases of abusive
registration submit a complaint to an approved dispute-resolution
service provider (see below for a list and links).
Principal Documents
Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy -- This policy is followed by all registrars.
Return to Domain Names