WIPO evicts cybersquatters

The domain name arbitration service set up by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has received 89 complaints since its launch two months ago.

In the first five cases to be completed, the complainant's grievance has been upheld each time, including the World Wrestling Federation's right to www.worldwrestlingfederation.com and Stella D'oro Biscuit's claims to www.stelladoro.com.

The service, set up in December 1999, is intended to settle 'cybersquatting' cases without the need for expensive court battles.

Francis Gurry, WIPO assistant director general, said in a statement: "The rate of increase in case filings reflects growing confidence both in the new procedure as an effective means of dealing with cybersquatting and in WIPO's administration of the procedure in an efficient and balanced manner."