INDRP Domain Name Dispute Cases

Inter-Continental Hotels Corp vs. Abdul Hameed

INDRP Dispute Case no: INDRP/278

Date of award: 2/10/2012

Disputed Domain: intercontinental.in

Complainant: Inter-Continental Hotels Corp, United States of America

Respondent: Abdul Hameed, India

Ex parte / Contested: Ex-parte

Facts of the case:

The complainant is well known for its hotel chains and own the trademark INTERCONTINENTAL in India and other jurisdictions. They own and operate 4500 hotels and numerous guest rooms in over 100 countries around the world. The disputed domain name was illegally registered by the respondent in 2006 as a website hosting various links to other hotel competitors of the complainant.

Findings & Award:

Disputed domain name identical and confusingly similar to trademark of complainant;

Respondent has no rights or legitimate interest;

It was observed that the lack of a well developed website shows respondent’s lack of rights;

Respondent registered the disputed domain name in bad faith;

It was ordered that the respondent shall transfer the disputed domain name in favour of the complainant.

Arbitration Award: Download

Tags: domain name, domain disputes, INDRP, NIXI, .in Registry, domain dispute cases