Battle Over Hedonism Resorts Domain Name — A Not-So-Sexy

Hedonism Resorts lose domain dispute.

Let’s face it, domain name disputes aren’t sexy (save for DeepThroat.com). But talk of hedonism might make one more interesting.

VRL International Ltd. and International Lifestyles, Inc., which operate the famous Hedonism Resorts and act as the exclusive travel agent for the resorts, respectively, have lost a battle for HedonismHotels.com.

The owner of the domain name claimed he was previously a philosophy student at the University of Lund and studied hedonism. He then organized get-togethers of other people interested in the philosophical side of hedonism. These events took place at hotels, hence HedonismHotels.com.

For proof, he got letters from the manager of the Lindsbergs Kursgard hotel which stated that the group had held events at the hotel a number of years, and from a Hilton hotel manager who stated the respondent had discussed holding an event there in 2008.

A stretch? Hard to say, but the panelist was unwilling to find that the registrant registered and used the domain in bad faith.