Google wins domain name dispute against Indian cybersquatter

NEW DELHI: Internet search engine Google has won a domain name dispute against an Indian cybersquatter at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Google Inc has moved the Geneva-based WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre in October 2009 against Racha Ravinder, who had registered website 'googlenetbiz.com' and offered to sell it for 50,000 dollars (nearly Rs 23 lakh). The website was registered in July 2008.

Google had submitted that "the disputed domain name was confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark" in which it has rights. It further said, "The disputed domain name was registered in bad faith."

In response to the WIPO, Ravinder said, "I will sell my domain googlenetbiz.com for USD 50,000 only, do you buy it."

WIPO appointed sole panelist Cherise Valles ordered the transfer of domain name 'googlenetbiz.com' to the US-based internet giant.

WIPO is a specialised agency of the United Nations for developing a balanced and accessible international system in the field of intellectual property rights.

The search major's name and mark 'GOOGLE' was coined and adopted in 1997. The company has obtained trademark registrations for its mark Google around the world. In India, the mark GOOGLE has been registered since March 1999.

Cybersquatting is an illegal activity and is usually done with the intention of reselling the domain name back to the legal trademark holder.