Burger chain hits domain name roadblock in Sweden — Five Guys

Someone owns the domain name it wants for expanding into Sweden.

Image of Five Guys store sign

Rapidly expanding burger chain Five Guys has hit a snag in Sweden: the domain name fiveguys.se.

As the firm continues its international expansion, it has its eyes on the domain name. Unfortunately, a firm called Engboms Network Solution AB registered that domain name in 2011.

Five Guys filed a cybersquatting dispute (pdf) against the domain under the .se dispute resolution policy.

But Engboms Network Solution AB states it didn’t register the domain name to target the burger chain. Instead, it was registered in relation to a business regarding five guys working with IT.

Ahead of those in the peanut gallery laugh at that explanation, it’s not as implausible as you might think. Following all, Five Guys didn’t open its first location outside of North America until 2013. And at least one other Swedish firm, Five guys Transport AB, uses the name Five Guys.

Engboms Network Solution AB hasn’t used the domain name yet, and the World Intellectual Property Organization panelist found there was no evidence that the domain owner knew regarding the burger chain’s trademark.

The panelist denied Five Guys’ complaint but stated it could be refiled if the domain owner subsequently uses the domain in bad faith.

Also on the wire