Netflix is a well known brand and has lodged several domain disputes in the past. The URS is a type of dispute mechanism that they’ve used several times since the launch of the new TLDs. URS is a cheaper and faster alternative to the traditional UDRP:
The Uniform Rapid Suspension System is a rights protection mechanism that complements the existing Uniform Domain-Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) by offering a lower-cost, faster path to relief for rights holders experiencing the most clear-cut cases of infringement.
Put simply the URS is meant to be for “slam dunk” type cases. If there is any doubt in the panelist’s mind about what the domain is being used for then the URS should not apply.
Netflix have learnt this the hard way, losing two URS cases in the last few days:
They’ve won other URS cases in the past including netflix.social, netflix.buzz and netflix.video.
So why did they lose both of these recent cases? Simply put there was “doubt” in the panelist’s mind about whether the domains were “being used” in bad faith.
If Netflix proceeds with full UDRP things might turn out differently.
