A document used by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for the purpose of creating guidelines for use when disputes arise regarding the registration of internet names (domain names).
The document outlines what needs to be done before a domain name registrar is compelled to hand the domain name to someone else, revoke its registration or blacklist the name.
This currently applies to all .biz, .com, .info, .name, .net, and .org top-level domains.
The process is managed by an "approved" resolution service provider.
The intention is to create a process that is faster and cheaper than the legal system.
Prior to the UDRP it was a Wild West scenario in the land of domain legislation.
ICANN now publishes regular league tables of decisions from the UDRP providers which (and you have to believe your trusty correspondent on this one: it's from industry sources) lawyers and intellectual property consultants are now actively using to advise their clients on where to go to get the domain names they want.
Perhaps not, but the notion that a paid and partial UDRP provider with elastic interpretations of guidelines which in themselves have a dubious legitimacy should have the right to decide on such a matter is disturbing, to say the very least.
The UDRP (Uniform Domain NameDispute Resolution Policy) was adopted in late 1999 by ICANN (the private authority responsible for the administration of certain Internet technical parameters) to offer an alternative to litigation in local courts to settle complaints by trademark owners about cybersquatting.
UDRP proceedings are binding on all domain name holders in.com,.org,.net,.info and.biz as well as [ccTLDS] and can result in the cancellation or transfer of the domain registration to the trademark owner.
UDRP opinions are not "law." They are not binding on courts and not even binding on other Panelists.
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