Costco wins transfer of domain name at WIPO

16-10-2017

Wholesaler Costco has won the transfer of a domain name from an Australian citizen, despite him saying it made “no sense” to continue proceedings as he would willingly transfer the domain.

The complaint was filed by Costco regarding costcobusinessdelivery.com.au at the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center on August 7, and proceedings began four days later.

The complaint said that the unnamed defendant had written to the centre on September 7 stating he had “submitted an e-ticket to delete the domain name” and was waiting for it to be deleted.

On September 11, the respondent stated that he would like to suspend proceedings and agree to a settlement.

After Costco stated that it wished to continue proceedings, the respondent said he would transfer the domain name, as he was “trying to solve this matter and get rid of this disputed domain name”.

The respondent added, “but you decide to proceed with proceedings; it makes no sense”.

James Barker was appointed sole panellist and found the site to be clearly confusing, that the respondent had no rights or legitimate interests and that the domain was registered in bad faith.

Costco, domain, transfer, World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center

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