In a no-brainer, a single-member Panel with the National Arbitration Forum has ordered several YouTube typo domain names be transferred to Google.
The domain names disputed in the case were: youtbe.com, youtub.com, youtue.com, youube.com, and yutube.com.
The respondent, who filed no response in the proceeding, had been using the names to send unsuspecting users to a survey scam that asked a series of questions and attempted to gather personal information by promising free gifts like Best Buy gift cards.
Google filed the complaint (Case No. 1416796) at the end of November.
Judge Harold Kalina (Ret.), Panelist, found that all three elements required under the ICANN Policy to transfer the domains were satisfied.
1) the domain name registered by Respondent is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which Complainant has rights; and
(2) Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name; and
(3) the domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith
Full details of the ruling, which was issued on January 5, have been posted online.
Discussion: The Next Web, Marketing Land, Index, The Verge, Afterdawn.com and mediabistro
