UDRP for “188” domains puts owners of short numerics in danger

188

188 – Not a lucky number.

If you own a short numeric domain that begins with “188” you might be in trouble.

In a UDRP at the WIPO, Cube Limited of Isle of Man, United Kingdom set claim to a group of domain names that began with the number “188”.

These domains are:

  • 188201.com
  • 188202.com
  • 188203.com
  • 188204.com
  • 188205.com
  • 188206.com
  • 188207.com
  • 188209.com

What appears to be an “innocent” group of numeric domains, is an alleged violation of the Complainant’s marks, that provides betting products and services through its website 188bet.com under its 188 trademarks.

According to the UDRP:

“The Complainant owns the trademark registrations over the mark 188 in the European Union and the marks 188BET and 188BET & device in the European Union, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Hong Kong, China.”

Although there is no “bet” part in these domains, they display or displayed ads related to casinos, roulette and various betting. That most likely triggered both the UDRP filing, and the decision in this case.

The Respondent did not respond.

Dr. Hong Xue, sole panelist, ordered the domains to be transferred to the Complainant. For the full text of the UDRP decision, click here.

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