Westmore · UDRP DecisionAzellepay.com + 3 more domains
The Panel ordered the transfer of all four disputed domain names. It found each domain confusingly similar to the Complainant’s ZELLE mark, found that the Respondent had no rights or legitimate interests, and found bad-faith registration and use based on parking pages containing commercial links and offers to sell the domains.
The timeline behind azellepay.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 azellepay.com — from public RDAP and the Internet Archive — as part of UDRP Intelligence:
How each disputed name was decided in this proceeding.
The case illustrates a straightforward multiple-domain UDRP claim in which a distinctive mark was reproduced across several domains and the domains were monetized through commercial parking links while also being offered for sale. The Respondent’s default left the Complainant’s prima facie showing on rights or legitimate interests unrebutted.
Result of record. The panel's reasoning and decisive facts behind each element are in the Intelligence dossier below.
WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION Early Warning Services, LLC v. Tiange Zhou Case No. D2019-1717 1. The Parties Complainant is Early Warning Services, LLC, United States of America (the “United States” or “U.S”) (“Complainant”), represented by Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, United States. Respondent is Tiange Zhou, United States (“Respondent”). 2. The Domain Names and Registrar The disputed domain names <azellepay.com>, <zellehub.com>, <zellemoney.com> and <zellep.com> are registered with GoDaddy.com, LLC (the “Registrar”). 3. Procedural History The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the “Center”) on July 19, 2019. On July 22, 2019, the Center transmitted by email to the Registrar a request for registrar verification in connection with the disputed domain names. On July 23, 2019, 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 and 4, the Center formally notified Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on July 26, 2019. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5, the due date for Response was August 15, 2019. Respondent did not submit any response. Accordingly, the Center notified Respondent’s default on August 22, 2019. The Center appointed M. Scott Donahey as the sole panelist in this matter on August 27, 2019. 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 digital payment network used by more than 120 banks worldwide, including such banks as Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Citi Bank, HSBC, and Wells Fargo (Complaint, Annex 5). Complainant’s electronic payment services have 84 million enrollments, and in 2018 were used to process 433 million transactions totaling USD119 billion in payments. Complainants have numerous trademark registrations with the United States Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO) for the ZELLE mark and for related marks, the earliest of which issued on August 29, 2017 (U.S. Registration No. 5277307) (Complaint, Annex 6). Complainant has also registered the ZELLE mark and related marks in countries around the world (Complaint, Annex 7). Complainant does business over the Internet in which Complainant utilizes a number of domain names incorporating its ZELLE trademark (Complaint, Annex 8). Complainant has no connection to Respondent, nor has Complainant licensed or otherwise authorized Respondent to use its ZELLE trademark or to conduct business under that mark. Respondent registered the disputed domain names in November 2017 and December 2017, all within three months of the issuance of Complainant’s first ZELLE trademark by the USPTO (Complaint, Annex 1). Respondent uses the disputed domain names to resolve to parking pages which contain links to third party commercial web sites. The web sites to which the disputed domain names resolve offer the disputed domain names for sale (Complaint, Annex 2). 5. Parties’ Contentions A. Complainant Complainant contends that the disputed domain names are confusingly similar to Complainant’s fanciful ZELLE trademark in that each disputed domain name contains the unusual mark, that Respondent has nor rights or legitimate interests in respect to the disputed domain names, and that Respondent has registered each of the disputed domain names in bad faith. B. Respondent Respondent did not reply to Complainant’s contentions. 6. Discussion and Findings “A Panel shall decide a complaint on the basis of the statements and documents submitted and in accordance with the Policy, these Rules and any rules and principles of law that it deems applicable.” Paragraph 4(a) of the Policy directs that the complainant must prove each of the following: (i) that the domain names registered by the respondent are identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the complainant has rights; and (ii) that the respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain names; and (iii) that the domain names have been registered and are being used in bad faith. A. Identical or Confusingly Similar Each of the disputed domain names consist of Complainant’s fanciful ZELLE trademark with descriptive words or letters (“money,” “a,” “pay,” “hub” or “p”) appended thereto. Accordingly, the Panel finds that each of the disputed domain names is confusingly similar to Complainant’s mark. B. Rights or Legitimate Interests While the overall burden of proof in UDRP proceedings is on the complainant, UDRP panels have recognized that proving a respondent lacks rights or legitimate interests in a domain name may result in the often impossible task of “proving a negative”, requiring information that is often primarily within the knowledge or control of the respondent. As such, where a complainant makes out a prima facie case that the respondent lacks rights or legitimate interests, the burden of production on this element shifts to the respondent to come forward with relevant evidence demonstrating rights or legitimate interests in the domain name. If the respondent fails to come forward with such relevant evidence, the complainant is deemed to have satisfied the second element . WIPO Overview of WIPO Panel Views on Selected UDRP Questions, Third Edition (“WIPO Overview 3.0 ”), section 2.1. In the present case, Complainant alleges that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain names and Respondent has failed to assert any such rights. Accordingly, the Panel finds that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain names. C. Registered and Used in Bad Faith Respondent uses the disputed domain names to resolve to “parking” sites, at which links to other commercial sites unrelated to Complainant, thus diverting users familiar with Complainant’s ZELLE trademark to other unrelated businesses. On the web sites to which each of the disputed domain names resolves, there is also an offer to sell the disputed domain names to those who arrive at the sites. Accordingly, the Panel finds that the disputed domain names have been registered and are being used in bad faith. 7. Decision For the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the disputed domain names <azellepay.com>, <zellehub.com>, <zellemoney.com>, and <zellep.com> be transferred to Complainant. M. Scott Donahey Sole Panelist Date: September 2, 2019
Source of record: WIPO . Reproduced for research; WIPO is the authoritative source.
What Westmore sees around azellepay.com
The decision is only the record. Westmore connects it to the cases, authorities, panelists, parties and domain evidence surrounding it.
A short, grounded explanation drawn only from this decision's record — not legal advice or a prediction.
Grounded in the Westmore record for this decision. Research/informational only — not legal advice or a prediction of any outcome.
The decision is only the beginning.
You've seen what happened. Now discover the deeper intelligence behind the case, the panelist, the parties and the authorities that matter.
Go beyond the public record: see how this case has been cited, find comparable decisions, analyze the panelist and apply the relevant authorities to your Matter.
Westmore Professional · $395/month
Research with UDRP IntelligenceWestmore AI drafts an attorney-review-ready UDRP response from your facts, grounded in the exact panel and closest precedent.
$895 one-time per matter · no subscription required. Self-help drafting aid — not legal advice.
Build your responseWestmore UDRP records draw on WIPO-indexed decisions and are provided for research and informational purposes only. Not legal advice, a clearance opinion, or a prediction of any outcome.