Former owner of domain claims cybersquatting after letting domain registration lapse.
Imagine that a domain name expires and you pick it up in an expired domain auction. Then the previous owner files a UDRP against you claiming cybersquatting to get the domain name back.
I’ve seen a few cases like this, including one just decided for PitRoad.com.
In this case the complainant had a registered trademark for PitRoad.com*, which could have been harmful to the respondent. But the trademark was for internet services while the new registrant planns to use the domain name for auto racing — a very plausible claim given what the name means.
Panelist Bruce E. Meyerson found that the domain name wasn’t registered in bad faith and that the respondent didn’t offer to sell the domain name until approached by the complainant.
*The complainant’s name doesn’t match that of the previous domain owner nor the owner of the PitRoad.com trademark, so I’m assuming the complainant is affiliated with the trademark owner.
Respondent should have been offered Reverse Domain Hijacking for sure.
At least they got it right and the new owner was able to keep his name.
Just another case of a company trying to bully a domain owner. (Not Domainer in this case.) Wonder if whoever was responsible to insure that the domain was renewed is looking for a job?
You so have to go to bat for your domains – even hand reg’s! Two days ago, I registered, BroadcastDTV dot com – I’m sure it was a drop! The former registrant is going to be ticked he let that one go! Also, the Registrars view domain name search stats to determine which to keep and which to let go. Don’t tell me they don’t.