Namecheap Wins UDRP Dispute Over ".auction" Domain
Aug/11/2025
In a ruling under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, the World Intellectual Property Organization ordered the transfer of namecheap.auction from German registrant to U.S.-based Namecheap, Inc., one of the world’s largest domain registrars. The panel found the domain to be identical to Namecheap’s well-known trademark and concluded that the respondent lacked any legitimate interest, despite including a disclaimer that was barely visible and thus ineffective in dispelling confusion. Citing prior disputes between the same parties and the respondent’s pattern of registering identical marks, the panel determined the registration and intended use—purporting to auction low-cost domains was aimed for commercial gain. This conduct, the panel held, leading to an order for immediate transfer of the disputed domain. The following tag cloud illustrates pending and registered Namecheap trademarks in the United States, along with their associated international classes.
