Sues Crypto.com owner, alleging reverse domain name hijacking — Cripto.com owner

Domdevelo OÜ, an Estonian firm that owns cripto.com, has sued (pdf) Foris Limited, a Hong Kong firm that owns crypto.com.

In November, Foris Limited filed a cybersquatting complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organization, arguing that Domdevelo was cybersquatting with its registration of cripto.com.

As a result, Domdevelo filed a lawsuit earlier this month in Arizona, asking the court for declaratory relief and to find reverse domain name hijacking under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA).

The firm argues that cripto.com is Italian for the element Krypton and is the first-person singular present indicative form of criptare – “to encrypt”.

Earlier this year, Domdevelo filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to register the service mark “Cripto.com” on an intent-to-use basis for entertainment services, namely, casino gaming; Entertainment services, namely, providing a website for on-line gambling; Gambling services; Online gaming services in the nature of casino gambling; Providing online computer games.

Incidentally (or perhaps not), Crypto.com recently launched a gambling platform.

Cripto.com was registered in 2002, and Domdevelo purchased it in 2021. It paid $74,976 for the name, counting $12,496 in value-added tax.

Gingras Law Office, PLLC filed the lawsuit on behalf of Domdevelo, with John B. Berryhill LLC also representing the firm.