The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) announced it will continue efforts to combat the abusive registration of trademarks as domain names, a procedure known as cybersquatting.

The organization reported that in 2004 it received 1,179 cases, or a 6.6% increase, over the number received the previous year. According to the data, WIPO's Arbitration and Mediation Center has handled a total of over 7,000 disputes, involving parties from 124 countries and covering over 12,500 domain names since the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP).

An average of 3.4 UDRP and UDRP-based cases were filed per calendar day in 2004, bringing the total number of cases received in 2004 to 1,179 - an increase of 79 cases (or 6.6%) as compared to 2003.

Francis Gurry, Deputy Director General of WIPO who oversees the work of the Center, noted that "the UDRP has been highly successful in creating a deterrent effect as well as in providing trademark owners with an effective international remedy against cybersquatting.

The data shows that over 80% of the WIPO expert decisions have gone in favor of the trademark holder, be it a large multinational corporation or a small or medium-sized business.

Disputes are decided by independent panelists drawn from the Center's list of 400 trademark specialists from over 50 countries. The domain name in question is frozen (suspended) during the proceedings. After carefully reviewing each case, panelists submit their decisions within a period of about 14 days.

Many UDRP decisions involve high-value brands that fall prey to cybersquatters; cases handled by the WIPO Center have involved most of the 100 largest international brands by value.

Many well-known individuals, including Madonna, Julia Roberts, Eminem, Pamela Anderson, JK Rowling, Michael Crichton and Ronaldinho have also used the Center's services.

While most cases are filed by parties based in the United States of America or Europe, cases have also been filed by parties from Argentina, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Jamaica, Jordan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Thailand, Vanuatu and Venezuela.

In addition to famous brands (recent WIPO cases include the domain names <weathernetwork.com>, <yahoojobs.com>, <aventisdirect.com>, <3mworldwide.com>, and <bmw1.com>), celebrities continue to be targeted by cybersquatters.

In addition to its domain name activities, the WIPO Center is increasingly called upon to provide arbitration and mediation services for all types of intellectual property disputes, such as disputes involving patent, trademark or copyright licensing.

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