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counsel.domains

Whose domain is it?

Domain disputes are decided on the written record. UDRP, URS and country-code policies, worldwide.

  • COMPLAINANT

    yourbrand-login.com

    Someone registered your name with one letter changed.

  • RESPONDENT

    yourname.shop

    You registered it years ago. Now a company says it's theirs.

  • RESPONDENT

    A complaint just arrived. You usually have 20 days.

  • COMPLAINANT

    brandname-support.net

    It looks like your site. It isn't.

  • EITHER

    .uk .au .ca

    Different extension. Different policy. Same clock.

  • EITHER

    Most complaints get no reply at all.

Nobody reads the policy until they need it.

Then it decides everything.

Read the three elements

Deadline

20 days.

is usually all a respondent gets to answer a UDRP complaint.

Other policies set their own deadlines.

In 2025, WIPO handled a record 6,282 domain disputes.

Most respondents never reply.

The ones who do give the panel something to weigh.

Sources: WIPO caseload statistics (2025); published analyses of UDRP default rates.

What must be proved.

  1. Confusingly similar.

    I

    The domain is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark the complainant has rights in.

  2. No legitimate interest.

    II

    The registrant has no rights or legitimate interests in the domain name.

  3. Bad faith.

    III

    It was registered and is being used in bad faith.

  4. The remedy.

    IV

    Transfer or cancellation. No damages, no legal costs.

All three must be established.

A panel reads two documents and decides. Usually no hearing, no witnesses. So the complaint — or the response — has to carry everything.

UDRP complaint

Where
WIPO, Forum, ADNDRC or CAC
Timeline
About two months
You bring
A trademark, evidence of use, evidence of bad faith
Remedy
Transfer or cancellation
Read the guide

UDRP response

Deadline
Usually 20 days
You bring
Evidence of legitimate use and good-faith registration
Aim
Complaint denied
Read the notes

Filing to decision, in about two months.

  1. 01

    Complaint

    The complainant files with a provider and pays its fee.

  2. 02

    Compliance

    The provider checks the filing; the registrar locks the domain.

  3. 03

    Response

    The respondent is notified and usually has 20 days to reply.

  4. 04

    Panel

    One or three panelists are appointed.

  5. 05

    Decision

    Decided on the written record, typically about two months from filing.

  6. 06

    Outcome

    Transfer, cancellation, or the complaint is denied.

Which policy applies?

It depends on the extension.

Notes.

All notes →

Notes are in preparation.

Got questions?

Plain answers.

Which policy applies to my domain?

Depends on the extension: most gTLDs fall under the UDRP; many country codes have their own policy.

Do I need a lawyer?

Not required under the UDRP, but thin evidence and poor drafting are common reasons valid complaints fail.

Can I recover damages?

Not under the UDRP, which can only transfer or cancel a domain.

What if the respondent doesn't reply?

The panel still decides on the merits; the complaint must still establish its case.