More cases decided, including some involving hundreds of domains.
The number of UDRP decisions in the first quarter of this year rose 15% compared with the same period a year earlier, according to GigaLaw’s Domain Dispute Digest. Across the five UDRP providers, panels issued rulings in 2,231 cases during the quarter.
GigaLaw contributor Doug Isenberg attributes the increase to multiple factors, including a rise in domain name registrations and the relative ease with which cybersquatters can operate, combined with limited deterrents. He also cites growing awareness of domain-name disputes and the continuing effectiveness of the UDRP as contributors to the uptick.
Even more notable was the jump in the number of domains referenced in decisions: that figure increased by 42% year over year. Much of that growth stems from a small number of very large cases that involved hundreds of domain names.
About 24 decisions — roughly 1% of the total — concluded with findings of reverse domain name hijacking. Among complainants, Philip Morris was the most active, with 31 cases decided in the quarter.