dotPH

The dotPH Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) again proved effective in resolving domain name disputes quickly and efficiently. Microsoft Corp. was recently ruled to have the rights to the domain name hotmail.com.ph.

A dispute was filed with the World Intellectual Property Forum (WIPO) by Microsoft Corporation the domain hotmail.com.ph. The case was filed in February 22, 2004 and was resolved by WIPO in less than 60 days. WIPO decided in favor of the complainant and ruled that the domain name be transferred to Microsoft.

UDRP provides a quicker and more economical alternative to court proceedings. UDRP disputes are heard by neutral bodies like WIPO and evidence can be filed online. Filing fees are as low as $1500. In stark contrast, the case involving pldt.com has dragged on for years in the court system, with untold legal costs.

A similar case filed by Bank of the Philippine Islands concerning the domain bpiexpressonline.com.ph is still pending with the local courts.

"It's too bad that BPI did not use UDRP as we suggested," said Jose Emmanuel Disini, PH ccTLD Administrator and respondent in the case filed by BPI. "If they had filed as soon as they became aware of the problem, the whole thing would have been settled six months ago."

"We hope others who feel their trademarks are being infringed upon will see UDRP as a preferable alternative," said Disini.

dotPH was one of the first domain registries worldwide to implement a UDRP policy aimed at protecting intellectual property and trademarks.