General Electric Prevails in Domain Dispute
May/14/2025
In a recent WIPO decision, General Electric Company successfully secured the transfer of the domain name <generalelectriceg.com>, after arguing it infringed on its well-established GENERAL ELECTRIC trademark. Registered by HUB Team, the domain was used to promote appliance repair services under the misleading guise of official affiliation with General Electric. Despite submitting an incomplete affidavit to substantiate its global brand reputation, GE’s claim was bolstered by previous rulings affirming the fame of its trademarks dating back to 1944. The panel criticized the complainant’s procedural deficiencies but ultimately ruled in GE’s favor, citing both a lack of legitimate use and evidence of bad faith intent to profit from confusion. The decision underscores the enduring value of the GE brand, which, despite being delisted from the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2018, remains a hallmark of American industrial history. Founded in 1892 through the merger of Thomas Edison's Edison General Electric Company and Thomson-Houston, GE is now a Boston-headquartered multinational employing 174,000 people globally. Its operations span aviation, appliances, defense, and renewable energy, generating over $79.6 billion in revenue in 2020, with its aviation segment alone contributing approximately $22 billion.
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General Electric Prevails in Domain Dispute
May/14/2025
