It is important to renew your domain names. If you fail to do so, you can lose your domain name, business, identity and your whole brand. Renewal is thus important, as this Complainant learnt the hard way.
The domain name in dispute in this case is OptoBionics.com. The Complainant in this case operates a business providing medical devices, namely, retinal implants and accompanying apparatus, and surgical instruments. The Complainant holds the trademark rights over the OPTOBIONICS mark. The Complainant even had the domain name OptoBionics.com with it until 29 October 2020. The domain name lapsed and was bought by the Respondent.
The Respondent uses the domain name to publish a blog about health and wellbeing. Upon contact with the Complainant the Respondent offered to sell the domain name at US $1,850.
The panel noted that although the Complainant holds a trademark related to the domain name, it’d have been difficult for the Respondent to be aware of this when he registered the domain name through an auction. The Respondent had invested a lot in the domain name, so its not unusual that it also demands a high compensation for the same.
The Complaint was denied.
You can read the full case here.
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