Is my understanding correct? In Neulevel's STOP procedure (where so-called IP owners
can challenge the successful registrant), the onus is totally on the priority Challenger
(who as I've noticed, often do NOT own the trademarks they're claiming) to show that
the successful registrant (the respondent/person being challenged) is not deserving
of the name. However, the respondent is not given the opportunity to show that
the challenger has claimed a trademark to which they are not entitled!
Furthermore,
under Neulevels' rules, the Challenger does not even have to prove - with documentation
- that they have rights to the name. They just have to explain why they have rights
to the name. At least with Afilias' Challenge procedure, both parties have to show
documentation.
Can I ask what the good of this is? As far as I can see, it's legitimising
fraudulent IP claims through a very biased (towards the Challenger) process. OK,
I understand that the respondent can argue that s/he's not infringing on the TM rights
(especially if it's a generic name), but what's stopping the challenger from out-and-out
saying "we have owned this TM since the year dot" and if they don't have to provide
documentation, then how can this be verified ?
Am I the only one who thinks this
seems a little silly? The only saving grace is that at least respondents don't have
to pay to defend themselves. Hopefully, the arbitration bodies will have the common
sense and intelligence to distinguish between legitimate claims to generic names,
and real trademarks where 'passing off' is a lot more clear-cut.
(Ho boy, here
come the CAT & COKE brigade again ... !)
Interested in your opinions.
Cheers,
Dave