Lombard & Geliebter successfully obtained an order transferring two (2) infringing domain names to our client. Shortly after news stories emerged indicating that Sanofi-Aventis was interested in acquiring Genzyme, Inc., the respondent registered sanofi-genzyme.us and sanofigenzyme.us with GoDaddy.com. At Sanofi-Aventis’ request, L&G instituted usDRP proceeding with the National Arbitration Forum on 2 May 2011 seeking transfer of sanofi-genzyme.us and sanofigenzyme.us to Sanofi-Aventis [Sanofi-Aventis is now Sanofi.]
Having filed the complaint, the Panelist issued his decision on 8 June 2011 ordering the transfer of sanofi-genzyme.us and sanofigenzyme.us to Sanofi-Aventis. The Panelist’s decision may be found here. We successfully argued and established the three (3) elements required in all domain name disputes, specifically, 1) the domain names are confusingly similar to the complainant’s marks, 2) that the respondent did not possess any legitimate rights or interest in the disputed domain names and 3) the domain names were registered and/or being used in bad faith.
Having successfully established these three (3) elements, the Panel ordered the transfer of the domain names to Sanofi-Aventis/Sanofi. If you have any questions or would like assistance in connection with your own domain name matters, please do not hesitate to contact us.