Reglikedomain industry desk

Facebook wins GameRoom.com dispute

Facebook wins GameRoom.com dispute

Firm that used the domain MyGameroom.com tried to get Gameroom.com through a cybersquatting dispute.

Screenshot of Facebook Gameroom

Facebook has successfully defended a cybersquatting dispute against its domain name Gameroom.com.

The social media firm purchased the domain name in 2016 when it launched Facebook Gameroom.

My Gameroom LLC filed the dispute. It uses the domain name MyGameroom.com for its online games business. The firm argued that Facebook was cybersquatting with its use of the superior Gameroom.com domain name.

The Complainant relied on a registered trademark for My Gameroom that it filed for in 2018, and claimed common law rights dating to 2016. Still, it provided scant evidence of its use in 2016.

Facebook’s lawyers stated they did extensive research around the brand prior to adopting it to ensure it had no trademark issues. It also pointed out that the term “game room” is clearly descriptive.

National Arbitration Forum panelist Darryl Wilson agreed with Facebook and denied My Gameroom’s claim. He declined to find that the case was brought in abuse of the administrative proceeding, i.e. reverse domain name hijacking.

Tamara S. Pester, LLC represented My Gameroom LLC. David Taylor/Jane Seager of Hogan Lovells LLP represented Facebook.

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