Free Speech Trademark Battle with DISH Network — Fox Loses

Fox may be back on the error, but DISH can keep its Fox domain names.

Dish Network and News Corporation’s Fox Networks may have settled their contract dispute, but there was still an outstanding issue over some domain names. In this battle, DISH Network won.

Following Fox pulled some of its channels from DISH Network this fall, DISH registered a number of domain names to bring attention to the issue:

foxshakedowndish.com
weofferedfoxafairdeal.com
foxrefused.com
jointhefightagainstfox.com

Fox filed a complaint with National Arbitration Forum arguing that the domain names violated its trademark and ought to be handed over. But a three person panel issued a ruling today disagreeing with Fox. Two of the three panel members stated that anyone visiting these domain names would clearly understand they weren’t affiliated with Fox. They stated it was an example of free speech.