March 07, 2006

merckblog.com not transferred to Merck

This [WIPO D2005-1017] may be the first step towards multiple registrations of "trademark+blog.com" names:
In the opinion of the Panel, a trademark followed by the word “blog” would not automatically convey that the corresponding website was run by that particular trademark owner, but could potentially convey that such a website contained information about the trademark owner instead.
This is part of a ruling over merckblog.com, where the Panel found the name has not been registered and is not being used in bad faith (the Panel stressed that "In this particular case it is not possible to comment on the nature of the website itself, given that it is currently pointing towards a Register.com holding page"; The facts show that the respondent intended to sell the name to the complainant).

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