Firm files claim over rights to Moldova’s .md domain name

Dispute centers on expired agreement to market .md domain names in English and Spanish-speaking countries.

A U.S.-based firm has filed an international arbitration claim against the Republic of Moldova over rights related to the .md country code top level domain.

Park Avenue Capital LLC filed the claim with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), an institution under the World Bank Group that facilitates dispute resolution between foreign investors and sovereign states under international investment treaties.

The dispute stems from Park Avenue’s contract to offer second level .md domain names in North America, Latin America, Australia, and any other English and Spanish-speaking countries. Park Avenue, which does business as MaxMD, which provides health care technology.

The contract’s original 20-year term expired in 2022. Park Avenue is disputing the non-extension of the contract, arguing that the contract provided for two consecutive 20-year terms. It is also disputing Moldova’s regulatory and other measures that it claims have affected its contractual rights.

The firm originally attempted to initiate arbitration under the terms of its contract, prompting the Republic of Moldova to issue a request for proposal for legal representation.

Park Avenue is now moving to have ICSID resolve the case.

The firm is represented by Nater Dallafior, Three Crowns, and Anastasiya Ugale.