Westmore · UDRP decision
WIPO · Case No. D2014-1323

Neovia-logistic.com, Neovia-logistic.net

TransferWIPO-indexed · informational, not legal advice

The Panel ordered transfer of both disputed domain names. It found them confusingly similar to Complainant's NEOVIA mark because each incorporated the mark in full and added a logistics-related descriptive term. Respondent lacked rights or legitimate interests, and the domains were used for copied websites and associated email activity intended to divert Internet users. The Panel found registration and use in bad faith based on a scheme involving purported job opportunities presented in Complainant's name and the resulting likelihood of confusion for presumed commercial gain.

Outcome
Transfer
At a glance
Provider
WIPO
Outcome
Transfer
Decision date
2014-09-12
Panelist(s)
Ritchie, Lorelei
Complainant
Neovia Logistics IP Holdings LLC
Respondent
Marc McFetridge
Disputed domain(s)
neovia-logistic.com, neovia-logistic.net
Citation weightrelies on 3 authorities
Domain history UDRP Intelligence

The timeline behind neovia-logistic.com

Registration, the decision and the archived record of what this domain actually displayed — from public RDAP and the Internet Archive.

Westmore reconstructs the full history behind neovia-logistic.com — from public RDAP and the Internet Archive — as part of UDRP Intelligence:

Registration → decision → today timeline
Archived Wayback evidence of what the site showed
Registry bad-faith signals
The live current registrant
Available in UDRP Intelligence
Outcome by domain

How each disputed name was decided in this proceeding.

neovia-logistic.comTransferred
neovia-logistic.netTransferred
Verified public record
Outcome & remedy
Complaint granted. Panel ordered transfer of neovia-logistic.com.
Reverse Domain Name Hijacking
No RDNH raised.
Westmore Insight

The case illustrates a strong impersonation fact pattern in which a domain combines a fanciful mark with a term describing the trademark owner's industry, closely resembles the owner's existing domains, and supports copied websites and deceptive email activity. The same conduct supported both the absence of legitimate interests and bad faith based on confusion for presumed commercial gain.

The three-part test
Identical or Confusingly SimilarMet
Rights or Legitimate InterestsMet
Registered and Used in Bad FaithMet

Result of record. The panel's reasoning and decisive facts behind each element are in the Intelligence dossier below.

Related decisions
Case details
Provider
WIPO
Outcome
Transfer
Decision date
2014-09-12
Panel
Ritchie, Lorelei
Full decision
6 min read · hosted by Westmore

WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION Neovia Logistics IP Holdings LLC v. Marc McFetridge Case No. D2014-1323 1. The Parties Complainant is Neovia Logistics IP Holdings LLC of Irving, Texas, United States of America, represented by Lewis Silkin LLP, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ("United Kingdom") Respondent is Marc McFetridge of San Diego, United States of America ("United States"). 2. The Domain Names and Registrar The disputed domain names <neovia-logistic.com> and <neovia-logistic.net> are registered with PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com (the "Registrar"). 3. Procedural History The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the "Center") on August 4, 2014. On August 5, 2014, the Center transmitted by email to the Registrar a request for registrar verification in connection with the disputed domain names. On August 6, 2014, the Registrar transmitted by email to the Center its verification response confirming that Respondent is listed as the registrant and providing the contact details. The Center verified that the Complaint satisfied the formal requirements of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Policy" or "UDRP"), the Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Rules"), and the WIPO Supplemental Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Supplemental Rules"). In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2(a) and 4(a), the Center formally notified Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on August 7, 2014. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5(a), the due date for Response was August 27, 2014. Respondent did not submit any response. Accordingly, the Center notified Respondent's default on August 28, 2014. The Center appointed Lorelei Ritchie as the sole panelist in this matter on September 2, 2014. The Panel finds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the Rules, paragraph 7. 4. Factual Background Complainant is a limited liability company registered in Delaware, United States. As a global logistics provider, it supports companies in automotive and industrial goods manufacturing, as well as retail and other sectors. Complainant is the owner of several registrations for the mark NEOVIA, including European Community mark No. 01109338 (Registered in 2014); and United States Registration No. 4438782 (Registered in 2013). Complainant has also registered various domain names, including <neovialogistics.com> (on July 4, 2012) and <neovialogistics.net> (on July 4, 2012), which Complainant uses to inform consumers about its products and services. Respondent registered both disputed domain names on March 28, 2014. Respondent has linked the disputed domain names to websites that are exact copies of Complainant's website, except that the contact information differs. Respondent has also apparently used an email address associated with the disputed domain names to contact consumers and divert them on Respondent's behalf. In this way, Respondent has used the disputed domain names for his own apparent financial gain. 5. Parties' Contentions A. Complainant Complainant contends that (i) the disputed domain names are identical or confusingly similar to Complainant's trademarks; (ii) Respondent has no rights or legitimate interest in the disputed domain names; and (iii) Respondent registered and is using the disputed domain names in bad faith. B. Respondent Respondent did not reply to Complainant's contentions. 6. Discussion and Findings A. Identical or Confusingly Similar This Panel must first determine whether the disputed domain names are "identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights" in accordance with paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy. The Panel finds that they are. Each of the disputed domain names incorporates in full Complainant's strong and fanciful mark, NEOVIA. The Panel finds that the added word "logistics" in the disputed domain names would be perceived by Internet users as descriptive of a website where they could find information about Complainant's logistics services. This is especially so where, as here, Complainant itself has domain name registrations that include the same term, which describes the "logistics" service that it offers to consumers. Numerous UDRP panels have agreed that supplementing or modifying a trademark with generic or descriptive words does not make a domain name any less "identical or confusingly similar" for purposes of satisfying this first element of paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy. See, for example , Microsoft Corporation v. Step Web , WIPO Case No. D2000-1500 ; Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Horoshiy, Inc. , WIPO Case No. D2004-0620 ; General Electric Company v. Recruiters, WIPO Case No. D2007-0584 . This Panel therefore finds that the disputed domain names are identical or confusingly similar to a trademark in which Complainant has rights in accordance with paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy. B. Rights or Legitimate Interests The Policy provides some guidance to respondents on how to demonstrate rights or legitimate interests in the domain names in a UDRP dispute. For example, paragraph 4(c) of the Policy gives examples that might show rights or legitimate interests in a domain name. These examples include: (i) use of the domain name "in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services"; (ii) demonstration that Respondent has been "commonly known by the domain name"; or (iii) "legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the domain name, without intent for commercial gain to misleadingly divert consumers or to tarnish the trademark or service mark at issue". Respondent did not reply to the Complaint, however, and no evidence has been presented to this Panel that might support a claim of Respondent's rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain names. Rather, as mentioned in Section 4 of this Panel's decision, Respondent has apparently used an email address associated with the disputed domain names to divert Internet users for fraudulent purposes for Respondent's financial gain. Therefore, this Panel finds that Complainant has provided sufficient evidence of Respondent's lack of "rights or legitimate interests" in accordance with paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Policy. C. Registered and Used in Bad Faith There are several ways that a complainant can demonstrate that domain names were registered and used in bad faith. For example, paragraph 4(b)(iv) of the Policy states that bad faith can be shown where "by using the domain name [Respondent has] intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to [Respondent's] web site or other on-line location, by creating a likelihood of confusion with the Complainant's mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of [Respondent's] website or location or of a product or service on [the] web site or location". As noted in Section 4 of this Panel's decision, Respondent has used an email address associated with the disputed domain names to divert Internet users. Specifically, Complainant has asserted that Respondent has perpetuated a scheme to divert consumers by posting fraudulent job opportunities in Complainant's name in order to mislead potential job seekers. In so doing, Respondent is trading on the goodwill of Complainant's trademarks to attract Internet users, presumably for Respondent's own commercial gain. Therefore, this Panel finds that Respondent registered and is using the disputed domain names in bad faith in accordance with paragraph 4(a)(iii) of the Policy 7. Decision For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the domain names <neovia-logistic.com> and <neovia-logistic.net> be transferred to Complainant. Lorelei Ritchie Sole Panelist Date: September 12, 2014

Source of record: WIPO . Reproduced for research; WIPO is the authoritative source.

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