The FORUM is the alternative to WIPO, but not as many cases are heard. In fact, for the last 6 months, the FORUM deliberated over 1,120 cases (half the number of WIPO cases), of which 1,022 (91%) were default cases with no response from the registrants. Of the 98 contested cases where Responses had been filed, 44 were denied and 8 were guilty of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking (RDNH). That means that if the Respondent contested the claim, he had a 45% chance of keeping the domain. Interestingly enough, of the default cases, 15 were denied (1.5%).
52 different panelists heard the contested claims. The most active of whom was RICHARD HILL with 9 of which 4 were denials. He also transferred the most domains with 6 (1 was a split decision). DEBRETT LYONS denied the most claims with 5. And the panelist who entered the most RDNH decisions was GERALD LEVINE with 2. Attorneys who were successful in representing their clients were ZAC MUSCOVITCH, JASON SCHAEFFER and myself. STEVE LIEBERMAN also won when he was named as a Respondent, but was holding the domain in escrow for a client.
FORUM PANELISTS WHO HAVE DENIED THE MOST CLAIMS FOR THE 6 MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021
FORUM PANELISTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021
FORUM PANELISTS ALL TIME DENIAL DECISIONS
Once again, I hope that this information will be useful to all domain investors particularly, who find themselves on the Responding end of a UDRP.
Howard Neu, Esq.
Howard@Neulaw.com