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WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION
Viacom International, Inc. v. Matrix Management and T. Parrott
Case No. D2001-1442
1. The Parties
The Complainant is Viacom International, Inc. ("Viacom"), 1515 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, United States of America.
The Respondents are Matrix Management, c/o Creative Marketing, P. O. Box 30622, Long Beach, California 90853, and T. Parrott also at P. O. Box 30622, Long Beach, California 90853, United States of America.
2. The Domain Name and Registrar
The Contested Domain Name is <mtvvideos.com>.
The Registrar is Register.com, 575 Eighth Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, New York 10018, United States of America.
3. Procedural History
The Complaint was brought pursuant to the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Policy"), which was adopted by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) on August 26, 1999, and approved on October 24, 1999, and in accordance with the ICANN Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Rules") as approved on October 24, 1999, and by the World Intellectual Property Organization Supplemental Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy in effect as of December 1, 1999 (the "Supplemental Rules").
The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the "Center") in e-mail form on December 8, 2001, and in hard-copy form on December 11, 2001, with Annexes A-F and the appropriate payment,
The Complainant’s attorney stated that he separately served, on December 8,
2001, and by e-mail, a copy of the Complaint itself together with a copy of
the cover sheet, on the Respondent Matrix Management and on the Registrar, and,
by courier and with the annexes, on both Matrix Management and the Registrar.
Pursuant to paragraph 4(d) of the Policy, the Complainant selected the Center
as the ICANN approved administrative dispute resolution service provider to
administer this proceeding. Through the Complaint, the Complainant requested
a single person panel.
After receiving the original Complaint, the Center, in accordance with paragraph
5 of the Supplemental Rules, determined whether the Complaint fully complied
with the formal requirements of the Rules and the Supplemental Rules. In that
regard, on December 13, 2001, the Center requested confirmation from the Registrar
of information set forth in the Complaint relative to the contested domain name;
specifically, contact and registrant information for that domain name, as well
as whether the Registrar received a copy of the Complaint from the Complainant.
The Center also requested the Registrar to specify: (a) whether the ICANN
Policy applies to the contested domain name, and (b) the current status of that
domain name.
On December 13, 2001, the Registrar provided its response to the Center through
which the Registrar provided contact information pertinent to the contested
domain name from its WHOIS database, confirmed that Register.com is the registrar
of that name, stated that the Policy is in effect for the domain name, stated
that the language of the registration agreement is English, and stated that
the domain name was then in an "active" status. The Registrar specifically informed
the Center that T. Parrott was the current registrant of the domain name. The
Center, in an e-mail dated December 18, 2001, requested the Registrar
confirm whether Matrix Management or T. Parrrott was then the current registrant
of the contested domain name. Later that same day, the Registrar confirmed that,
according to its records and given that a transfer of registrant was not properly
effected by T. Parrott, the domain name remained with registrant T. Parrott.
Matrix Management is the Administrative Contact for the contested domain name,
with T. Parrott being its registrant, with both having the same address in Long
Beach, California.
By e-mail dated December 27, 2001, the Center informed the Complainant that,
according to the Registrant’s records, T. Parrott and not Matrix Management
was the current registrant of the contested domain name and consequently requested
the Complainant to file an amendment to its Complaint listing T. Parrott as
the Respondent. The Center forwarded contact details to the Complainant, by
e-mail dated December 28, 2001, as provided by the Registrar.
Subsequently, the Complainant submitted the requested amendment to its Complaint
to the Center by e-mail on December 29, 2001, and in hard-copy form on January
4, 2002,
On January 8, 2002, the Center notified both Respondents of the filing of the
Complaint, including an indication that the Center was forwarding a complete
copy of the Complaint, both in e-mail and hard-copy form, to the Respondents
(with the latter method forwarding a copy of all the annexes as well). The Complaint,
and its accompanying documents, and all subsequent communications associated
therewith were provided in the preferred manners and to the addresses as mandated
by paragraphs 2(a), 2(b) and 4(a) of the Rules.
Hence, the notification to the Respondent having occurred on January 8, 2002,
under paragraph 4(c) of the ICANN Policy, this administrative proceeding is
deemed to have commenced on that date.
Having reviewed the Complaint and succeeding correspondence between the Center
and the Registrar, in detail, the Panel agrees with the determination of the
Center that the Complaint and its handling met the requirements of the Rules
and the Supplemental Rules.
The Respondent was then provided with a 20-calendar day period, expiring on
January 28, 2002, to file its response with the Center and serve a
copy of the response on the Complainant.
As of January 28, 2002, the Center had not received any response to the Complaint
from either of the Respondents; hence, the Center, in an e-mail letter dated
January 29, 2002, notified the Complainant and the Respondents of
the default of the Respondents.
Accordingly, pursuant to the Rules and Supplemental Rules, by e-mail letter
dated February 27, 2002, the Center contacted the undersigned, Mr. Peter L.
Michaelson, Esq., requesting his service as a sole panelist for this dispute.
Subsequently, on that date, Mr. Michaelson accepted and returned, by facsimile
to the Center, a fully executed Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality
and Independence. The Center, through an e-mail letter dated February 28, 2002,
notified the parties of the appointment of Mr. Michaelson as sole panelist.
Based on the deadline set forth in paragraph 15 of the Rules, a decision was
to be issued by the Panel to the Center on or before March 14, 2002.
This dispute concerns one domain name, specifically: <mtvvideos.com>.
The language of this proceeding is English.
4. Factual Background
A copy of the WHOIS registration record for the contested domain name appears
in Annex A to the Complaint. As indicated on this record, the Respondent
registered this name with Register.com on November 29, 1999.
A. MTV Marks
The Complainant owns numerous United States and foreign trademark registrations
(collectively in over 100 countries) for the mark "MTV" ("MTV"
Marks) on which this dispute is based. Many of the United States registrations
have become incontestable. The Complainant has provided, in Annex B to the Complaint,
a hard-copy printout of corresponding records from the United States Patent
and Trademark Office web server for its United States registrations. A small
sample of the particularly pertinent registrations is listed as follows:
a) MTV (block letters)
US registration 1,985,017; registered July 9, 1996
This mark was registered for use in connection with: "Video recordings
featuring music and television programming and sound recordings featuring music"
in international class 9, "Television broadcasting" in international
class 38, "Education and entertainment services, namely production and
presentation of television news shows; sports events; fashion shows; game shows;
animated shows; music shows; award shows; and comedy shows before live audiences
which are all broadcast live or taped for later broadcast; and production of
radio programs" in International class 41, and "Disseminating information
on news, entertainment, sports, fashion, music and comedy by providing consumers
with multiple-user access to a global computer network" in International
class 42. This mark claims first use and first use in inter-state commerce of
April 13, 1981, for International classes 9, 38 and 41, and of June 22, 1994,
for International class 42.
b) MTV (block letters)
US registration 1,955,606; registered February 13, 1996
This mark was registered for use in connection with: "Cable television
broadcasting" in international class 38, and "Television and entertainment
services, namely the television production of a broad spectrum of television
programs including those which feature or are on the topics of music, entertainment,
animation, current events, social issues, sports events, talent contests, concerts,
comedy shows, situation comedies, games, awards, dances, news, style and fashion;
and entertainment in the form of live concerts, talent contests, music and television
award events, sports events, game events, events with speakers on various social
and political topics, and exhibits with displays of entertainment memorabilia
and products relating to style and fashion" in International class 41.
This mark claims first use and first use in inter-state commerce of April 30, 1981
for both classes.
c) MTV (block letters)
US registration 1,386,644; registered March 18, 1986
This mark was registered for use in connection with: "Audio cassettes
and tapes" in international class 9. This mark claims first use and first
use in inter-state commerce of April 13, 1981.
d) MTV (block letters)
US registration 1,373,948; registered December 3, 1985
This mark was registered for use in connection with: "Clothing, namely
T-shirts, sport shirts, sweat shirts, hats and shorts"" in international
class 25. This mark claims first use and first use in inter-state commerce of
June 30, 1981.
B. Complainant and its Activities
The Complainant, Viacom, through its wholly-owned division MTV Networks, operates
several well-known television programming services. One of the best known is
MTV: Music Television ("MTV"). The MTV programming service is a 24 hour-a-day,
7 day-a -week programming service that features primarily music-related
programming including music videos, interviews, documentaries, entertainment
information and news. Marks, including "MTV" in block letters, "MTV"
in a stylized format, and "MTV: Music Television" in a stylized format
are used to promote MTV and its programs and are associated with Complainant.
The MTV programming service first aired in 1981. The Complainant states that
MTV has become so popular that it is seen 139 territories worldwide and in over
365 million households. In the United States alone, MTV reaches over 79 million
domestic subscriber households. MTV enjoys a level of popular success that is
virtually unparalleled in cable television history. MTV is recognized as a leader
in the entertainment industry and has received numerous awards and recognition
of its achievements.
The Complainant advertises its MTV programming service on television, in newspapers
and magazines, and on billboards and other outdoor advertising nationwide. It
states that, in all advertisements, the MTV Marks are prominently shown and/or
otherwise referenced.
Furthermore, the MTV Marks appear not only in off-channel advertising but also
on-air at the beginning of all programs aired on the MTV channel. The MTV Marks
are also seen on the set of many programs as well as in connection with station
identifiers. In addition, the MTV Marks are, as the Complainant states, a core
element of on-air commercials for the programming service.
Additionally, the Complainant uses the MTV Marks in connection with programs
that MTV produces including, among others: "The MTV Video Music Awards,"
"MTV Movie Awards," "MTV Spring Break," and "MTV Unplugged."
The Complainant has spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the last 20
years in advertising and promoting its services and merchandise under the MTV
Marks.
The Complainant has had a presence on the Internet since at least as early
as 1994. In that regard, in 1995, the Complainant launched the website <www.mtv.com>
which is consistently ranked as the number one music content site among teens
aged 13-17. In 1999, that website averaged a monthly audience of 4,619,945
unique visitors; in the year 2000, with the average monthly audience then being
7,708,363.
Moreover, videos have been the mainstay of programming under the MTV Mark.
When the MTV channel launched in 1981, its programming consisted solely of music
videos – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Today, twenty years after its launch,
music videos still account for the majority of programming on the MTV channel.
Videos are so inextricably intertwined with Complainant and with the MTV Marks
that, in 1984, Complainant established the "MTV Video Music Awards"
– a special television program honoring artists whose music videos appear on
the MTV programming service. The program is broadcast live each year on Complainant’s
MTV channel and features performances and appearances by musical artists, actors
and other celebrities, in addition to the presentation of awards. The program
reaches hundreds of millions of viewers every year in the United States and
world-wide.
In addition to airing music videos on the MTV channel, the Complainant has
released, under the MTV Marks, nearly one hundred home videos for purchase and
rental. Many of the home videos include programming originally aired on the
MTV programming service. Prior to November 29, 1999, which is when the domain
name at issue was registered, the Complainant had issued more than fifty home
videos under the MTV Marks with over forty million dollars in sales. Copies
of home video packaging that show the MTV Marks appear in Annex C to the Complaint.
The Complainant states that its MTV Marks are famous and that their fame has
existed long prior to Respondent’s registration of the contested domain name.
In that regard, as shown by the illustrative articles provided in Annex D to
the Complaint, MTV has been recognized by the media as changing television and
as being among the most influential television channels. Moreover, in a December
13, 1999 article in The New York Times, MTV was named as one of the 100 "most
powerful corporate, media and product brands in the 20th century."
C. Respondents and their Activities
On November 29, 1999, Respondent, presumably Respondent T. Parrott, registered
the contested domain name <mtvvideos.com>. As of that date,
the Complainant had been using its MTV Marks in the U.S. for almost 20 years.
In May 2000, the Complainant discovered the registration of <mtvvideos.com>.
At that time, no use was being made of the domain name. On November 21, 2000,
the Complainant sent a cease and desist demand letter to Respondent Matrix Management
concerning the registration of that name. A copy of that cease and desist letter
appears in Annex E to the Complaint. The Complainant never received a response
to that letter.
Sometime after that demand letter was sent, Respondent Matrix Management posted
a website resolvable through <mtvvideos.com>. Printouts
of the home pages, of that website, dated May 3, 2001, and October 25,
2001, appear in Annex F to the Complaint. That website uses the heading "Matrix
Travelers & Visitors Travel Videos." However, as is evident from the
web site, no travel videos are being offered through that site. Instead, the
owner of the contested domain name appears to be offering Internet users the
opportunity to use the contested domain name to reach a home page that describes
a web site or a business, and particularly one through which a user can advertise
their own websites.
5. Parties’ Contentions
A. Complainant
i. Similarity
The Complainant apparently takes the position that the contested domain name
is confusingly similar to the MTV Marks. While the Complainant recognizes that
the contested domain name includes the generic term "videos", the
Complainant contends that the addition of this term does not distinguish the
name from the MTV Marks. In that regard, the Complainant states that the addition
of this term is likely to actually create confusion given the strong association
between the MTV Marks and videos given that "videos" connotes and
describes precisely goods and services that the Complainant currently offers
under the MTV Mark. In support of its view, the Complainant cites to: Viacom
Int’l Inc. v. mtvmp3.com WIPO Case no. D2001-0275,
April 26, 2001) (noting that where a domain name in issue is readily recognizable
as a combination of two components, one of which is Complainant’s MTV mark,
and the second is a generic term, the domain name would be found confusingly
similar to Complainant’s MTV trademark); Guinness UDV North America v. Lewis
WIPO Case no. D2001-0621, August 3, 2001 (addition
of a generic term that is obviously connected with complainant or its products
creates a domain name that is confusingly similar to the trademark); and Viacom
Int’l Inc. v. Abraham Godong, WIPO Case no. D2001-0603,
July 9, 2001 (when a common noun added to a trademark coincides with and, in
fact, connotes the goods and services provided under the trademark, confusing
similarity "is inevitable").
Hence, the Complainant concludes that it has met the confusing similarity requirement
in paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy.
ii. Legitimacy
The Complainant contends that, for several reasons, neither Respondent has
any rights or legitimate interests in the contested domain name pursuant to
paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Policy.
In particular, the Complainant states that the contested domain name was registered
after the Complainant had obtained various US trademark registrations for its
MTV Marks, after those marks had become associated with the term "videos,"
and after the Complainant had been extensively advertising its MTV marks throughout
the United States.
The Complainant also states that no relationship exists between it and either
Respondent through which that Respondent has any license, permission or authorization
through which that Respondent could own or use the contested domain name, <mtvvideos.com>,
which incorporates Complainant’s "MTV" mark. As such, any use
of the contested domain name by either Respondent falsely suggests that an association
or sponsorship exists between the Complainant and that Respondent when in actuality
no such association or sponsorship exists at all.
Further, the Complainant contends there is no evidence to suggest that either
Respondent is now or has ever been known by the name MTV. Indeed, as shown by
the WHOIS record which appears in Annex A to the Complaint, one Respondent’s
name is Matrix Management and/or CEO Marketing; MTV is not a acronym of Matrix
Management.
Moreover, the Complainant states that the Respondents exhibited a lack of legitimate
rights and interests by having established their web site only after they received
a cease and desist demand letter from the Complainant, hence after having received
actual notice of the Complainant’s trademark rights in its MTV Marks.
Further, the Complainant contends that even assuming that the web site was
created before either Respondent received the demand letter, i.e., before it
had notice of this dispute, either Respondent’s use of the contested domain
name still does not create any legitimate rights or interest, inasmuch as such
use would not be "bona fide" under paragraph 4(c)(i) of the Policy.
Citing to Ciccone v. Parisi, WIPO Case
no. D2000-0847, October 12, 2000, which held that use which intentionally
trades on the fame of another cannot constitute a "bona fide" offering
of goods or services, the Complainant contends that "to conclude otherwise
would mean that a Respondent could rely on intentional infringement to demonstrate
a legitimate interest, an interpretation that is obviously contrary to the intent
of the Policy." With that view in mind, the Complainant takes the position
that the Respondents took the Complainant’s MTV mark as its domain name and
added the term "videos" to it which is a term inextricably related
to the goods and services provided by the Complainant under the MTV Marks. The
Respondents’ website resolvable by the <mtvvideos.com> domain
name is not offering videos. Instead, it is trading on the fame of the MTV Marks
to sell space to consumers who may be interested in advertising their websites.
The space is valuable because it is linked to the MTV mark; the <mtvvideos.com>
domain name is likely to draw Internet users who believe that <mtvvideos.com>
is the website of Complainant. When one looks at the WHOIS search result which
appears in Annex A to the Complaint, it is evident that Respondent created the
name "Matrix Travelers & Visitors" in an attempt to justify using
Complainant’s MTV Mark. However, it is clear that the use of "Matrix Travelers
& Visitors" is nothing but a ruse because, inter alia, travel
videos are not and have never been offered at the website. Clearly, <mtvvideos.com>
does not describe the business of the Respondents, and does not describe goods
or services available at their website. Consequently, neither Respondent can
claim bona fide rights or legitimate interests in the contested domain name.
Lastly, the Complainant contends that inasmuch as its MTV Marks are venerable
and distinctive and the Respondents were on constructive (if not actual) notice
of the MTV Marks, the Respondents, by having chosen a domain name that is so
similar to the Complainant’s marks, can not demonstrate any legitimate interest
in the domain names particularly given the likelihood that they chose in an
effort to create confusion detrimental to the Complainant.
Thus, the Complainant concludes that the Respondents have no rights or legitimate
interests in the contested domain name pursuant to paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the
Policy.
iii. Bad Faith
The Complainant contends that, also for various reasons, the Respondents have
registered and are now using the contested domain name in bad faith.
In particular, the Complainant contends the Respondents’ very act of incorporating
the Complainant’s trademark MTV into the contested domain name evinces bad faith.
Further, the Complainant contends that the Respondents’ lack of response to
the Complainant’s cease and desist demand letter additionally evidences bad
faith. In effect, the Respondents were given an opportunity to explain why they
registered the contested domain name and their plans for using that name. By
failing to respond, the Respondents in effect have admitted that there was no
bona fide reason for registering that name, they have no legitimate rights or
interests in that domain name and that the name was registered and is being
used in bad faith.
Also, the Complainant contends that the Respondents’ bad faith is also shown
by the fact that the contested domain name is "so obviously connected
with the Complainant" that its very use by someone who has no connection
therewith suggests "opportunistic bad faith". In that regard, the
Complainant states that the MTV marks are so famous that the Respondents had
to have known about them. As such, registration of a name which incorporates
the MTV mark without any color of title or justification is proof of bad faith
on the Respondents’ part.
Further, the Complainant contends that Internet users are likely to believe
that <mtvvideos.com>connects to a website associated with
or sponsored by the Complainant. By using the Complainant’s marks as their domain
name, the Respondents are attempting to create an association with Complainant
and to usurp Complainant’s goodwill. Hence, the Complainant contends that since
the ultimate effect of any use of <mtvvideos.com> by the
Respondents would be to cause confusion with the Complainant, then the Respondents’
use and registration of the domain name must be considered to be in bad faith.
Therefore, the Complainant concludes that the Respondents’ conduct in registering
and using the contested domain name constitute bad faith registration and use
under paragraph 4(a)(iii) of the Policy.
B. Respondents
Neither Respondent has filed any substantive response to the allegations raised
in the Complaint.
6. Discussion and Findings
In view of the lack of a response filed by either of the Respondents as required
under paragraph 5 of the Rules, this proceeding has proceeded by way of
default. Hence, under paragraphs 5(e), 14(a) and 15(a) of the Rules, the Panel
is directed to decide this administrative proceeding on the basis of the Complainant’s
undisputed representations. In that regard and apart from judging this proceeding
through mere default of the Respondents, the Panel makes the following specific
findings.
i. Similarity
The Panel finds that confusion would likely arise as a result of the Respondents’
current use of the contested domain name.
In that regard, the contested domain name includes the Complainant’s registered
mark "MTV" which has clearly acquired requisite secondary meaning
and distinctiveness as a result of the Complainant’s apparently continuous and
rather extensive use since 1981, and particularly in conjunction with its music
video products and entertainment services.
There can be no question here that the contested domain name, by virtue of
its inclusion of the term "MTV", as currently used by the Respondent
or by a third-party to which the Respondent might transfer that name, will likely
cause user confusion.
Furthermore, concatenating the term "videos" to the Complainant’s
mark "MTV" to form the contested domain name does not dispel any such
confusion, rather it likely exacerbates it. In view of the Complainant’s extensive,
prolonged and continuing activities in promoting its video based products and
services from which the Complainant has developed a considerable reputation
through which its MTV mark has acquired requisite fame, this Panel clearly finds
that any Internet user familiar with the Complainant -- which probably encompasses
a considerable number of such users as well as that of the population in general
-- and when confronted with the domain name <mtvvideos.com> would very
likely, if not reflexively think, that this name and there through either or
both of the Respondents were affiliated in some fashion with the Complainant
-- when, in fact, no such relationship exists. In fact, it is rather inconceivable
to this Panel that any such user would likely think otherwise. See, e.g., Park
Place Entertainment Corporation v. Bowno, WIPO
Case no. D2001-1410, January 9, 002); Meijer, Inc. v. Porksandwich
Web Services, FA 97186 (Nat. Arb. Forum July 6, 2001); MPL Communications
v LOVEARTH.net, FA 97086 (Nat. Arb. Forum June 4, 2001); MPL Communications
v 1WebAddress.com, FA 97092 (Nat. Arb. Forum June 4, 2001); American
Home Products Corp. v. Malgioglio, WIPO
Case no. D2000-1602, February 19, 2001; Surface Protection Industries,
Inc. v. The Webposters, D2000-1613
(WIPO February 5, 2001); Dollar Financial Group, Inc. v VQM NET,
FA 96101 (Nat. Arb. Forum January 25, 2001); eBAY Inc. v. G L
Liadis Computing, Ltd, and John L. Liadis, WIPO
Case no. D2000-1463, January 10, 2001; Treeforms, Inc. v. Cayne Indus.
Sales Corp., FA 95856 (Nat. Arb. Forum December 18, 2000) and The
Pep Boys Manny, Moe and Jack of California v. E-Commerce Today, Ltd., AF-0145 (eResolution
May 3, 2000).
Therefore, the Panel finds that the contested domain name <mtvvideos.com>
sufficiently resembles the Complainant’s MTV Marks as to cause confusion; hence,
the Complainant has shown sufficient similarity between these marks and the
contested domain name under paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy.
ii. Illegitimacy
Based on its federal trademark registrations, the Complainant has acquired
exclusive rights to use its "MTV" Marks. Furthermore, by virtue of
the registration of these marks, some of which having attained incontestability,
the US Patent and Trademark Office has implicitly recognized that each such
mark has acquired appropriate secondary meaning in the marketplace.
The Respondent has yet to provide any basis that would legitimize any claim
it has to the contested domain name. In fact, it is extremely unlikely that
the Respondent can ever make such a claim.
The simple reason is that the contested domain name includes the Complainant’s
mark "MTV" under which the Complainant provides its music video products
and entertainment services and has been doing since 1981, now over 20 years.
The Complainant has apparently never authorized either of the Respondents to
utilize any of its marks, nor does the Complainant have any relationship or
association whatsoever with that Respondent. Hence, any use to which either
of the Respondents were to put of any of the "MTV" Marks, including
"MTVVIDEOS" (or the like) in connection with the services listed in
any of the Complainant’s registrations would directly violate the exclusive
trademark rights now residing in the Complainant. Consequently, inasmuch as
neither Respondent is now and has ever been commonly known by the mark "MTV",
the Respondents’ actions are in direct contravention of paragraph 4(c)(ii) of
the Policy. See, e.g., Park Place Entertainment Corporation v. Bowno,
cited supra; Jones Apparel Group, Inc. v. Robin Sousa, WIPO
Case no. D2001-1308, December 21, 2001; America Online, Inc. v. Curtis
Wood, WIPO Case no. D2001-0555, June 13, 2001;
Treeforms, Inc. v. Cayne Industrial Sales, Corp., cited supra;
MSNBC Cable, LLC v. Tysys.com, WIPO
Case no. D2000-1204, December 8, 2000; and Cabletron Systems, Inc. v.
DLS Enterprises, WIPO Case no. D2000-0571,
August 18, 2000.
Further, it is eminently clear to this Panel that the Respondents, in using
the contested domain name that incorporates the Complainant’s registered "MTV"
mark, are intentionally seeking to exploit user confusion by diverting Internet
users away from the Complainant’s site to the Respondents’ own website for the
latter’s own benefit, i.e., by selling space to consumers who may be interested
in advertising their websites on the Respondents’ site. If this was not the
case, why else would the Respondents have chosen a domain name that contains
such a well-known mark, particularly when the Respondents, through their site,
do not offer any video products, let alone music videos? The Panel cannot think
of any justifiable reason. This directly contravenes paragraph 4(c)(iii)
of the Policy.
In light of the above findings, the Panel is not persuaded that either of the
Respondents has any or, based on current facts provided to the Panel, is likely
to acquire any rights or legitimate interests in the contested domain name under
any provision of paragraph 4(c) of the Policy.
Thus, the Panel finds that neither of the Respondents has any rights or legitimate
interests in the contested domain name within paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Policy.
iii. Bad Faith
The Panel firmly believes that the Respondents’ actions constitute bad faith
registration and use of the contested domain name.
It is indisputable to this Panel that the Respondents were fully aware of the
Complainant’s MTV Marks, since those marks had been in existence and very widespread
use commencing some 18 years prior to the date, November 29, 1999, on which
the Respondents registered the contested domain name.
There can be no question that the Respondents, knowing the widespread consumer
recognition inherent in the Complainant’s mark MTV but having absolutely no
association, relationship or affiliation whatsoever with the Complainant, clearly
chose to include this mark in the contested domain name with a goal of creating
opportunities, to commercially benefit themselves, arising out of the inevitable
user confusion that would flow from concurrent use by the Complainant of its
MTV Marks and by the Respondents of the contested domain name. The Panel views
such opportunistic registration of the contested domain name as indicative of
bad faith registration and the subsequent use of that domain name by the Respondents
in an effort to attain such benefit as bad faith use, both collectively actionable
under paragraph 4(b)(iv) of the Policy. See, e.g., Novus Credit Services
Inc. v. Personal, WIPO Case no. D2000-1158,
November 29, 2000 and Guinness UDV North America v. Lewis, cited supra.
Thus, the Panel concludes that the Complainant has provided sufficient proof
of its allegations to establish a prima facie case under paragraph 4(a) of the
Policy upon which the relief it now seeks can be granted.
7. Decision
Accordingly, under paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel
now grants the relief sought by the Complainant.
The contested domain name, specifically <mtvvideos.com>,
is ordered transferred to the Complainant.
Peter L. Michaelson, Esq.
Sole Panelist
Dated: March 11, 2002