Panel Decides in Favour of CNN in Largest Domain Dispute Decision

In possibly the largest domain name dispute decision under ICANN's Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy ("UDRP"), a panel of the National Arbitration Forum ("NAF") ordered the transfer of 325 domain names from the Channel News Network ("Channel News") to Cable News Network ("CNN"). Channel News had registered domains covering most of the word's countries and incorporating "CNN" in the domain name. Given that Channel News offered broadcast news and information services directly competing with that of CNN, the panellists held that the domain names had been registered in bad faith to profit from user confusion and diversion caused by the similarity with CNN's trade-mark. Further, considering the sheer number of domain names in dispute, the Panel concluded that Channel News registered the names to prevent CNN from registering the names for itself. To view a copy of the decision, visit: http://www.arb-forum.com/domains/decisions/117876.htm For more information, visit: http://www.demys.net/news/02_dec_18_cnn.htm