UDRP denied.
This is our last UDRP coverage for 2016, and it’s about SocialEdge.com, a domain registered in 2001.
The aged, generic two word composite was challenged at the National Arbitration Forum by Igor Vaks.
Mr. Vaks is the CEO/Founder of Social Edge, operating from the domain getsocialedge.com.
For some reason, the NAF panelist made the following statement:
“Complainant has not shown it owns the trademark in question (which is registered to Social Edge, Inc., which is distinct from Complainant Igor Vaks). Complainant has not described why Complainant can initiate this proceeding relying on the rights of a third party, Social Edge. “
The Respondent failed to submit a response in this UDRP proceeding.
The sole panelist, Houston Putnam Lowry, denied transfer of the domain partially on the technicality that the trademark for SOCIALEDGE is owned by Social Edge, Inc. – not by the Complainant personally. But Mr. Vaks so happens to be the founder and CEO of the company that owns the trademark.
Furthermore, the panelist referenced the domain’s age, a full 14 years senior to the Complainant’s mark:
“Complainant has utterly failed to address the issue the disputed domain name was registered on December 14, 2001. The SocialEdge trademark was issued April 21, 2015 (nearly 14 years later). Complainant has not explained how Respondent registered the domain name in bad faith when Complainant did not even exist.”
For the full text of this UDRP decision for the domain SocialEdge.com click here.
At least they denied transfer. Mr. Vaks is a cockroach. Actually I apologize to cockroaches for implying they were as bad as the complainant. Oops.
Who is in benefit here? He owns one domain and he works as CEO of others, how does it helps him to get both domain?