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Argyle Winery, Inc. v. Telmex Management Services [2002] GENDND 336 (4 March 2002)


National Arbitration Forum

DECISION

Argyle Winery, Inc. v. Telmex Management Services

Claim Number: FA0202000104480

PARTIES

The Complainant is Argyle Winery, Inc., Dundee, OR (“Complainant”) represented by Devon J. Zastrow, of Klarquist Sparkman, LLP.  The Respondent is Telmex Management Services, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (“Respondent”).

REGISTRAR AND DISPUTED DOMAIN NAME(s) 

The domain name at issue is <argylewines.com>, registered with Intercosmos Media Group, Inc. ("Intercosmos Media Group").

PANEL

The undersigned certifies that he has acted independently and impartially and that, to the best of his knowledge, he has no known conflict in serving as Panelist in this proceeding.

Rodney C. Kyle as Panelist.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Complainant submitted a complaint ("the Complaint") to the National Arbitration Forum (“the Forum”) electronically on 6 February 2002; the Forum received a hard copy of the Complaint on 7 February 2002.

On 6 February 2002, Intercosmos Media Group confirmed by e-mail to the Forum that the domain name <argylewines.com> is registered with Intercosmos Media Group and that the Respondent is the current registrant of that domain name.  Intercosmos Media Group has verified that Respondent is bound by the Intercosmos Media Group registration agreement and has thereby agreed to resolve domain-name disputes brought by third parties in accordance with ICANN’s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Policy”).

On 11 February 2002, a Notification of Complaint and Commencement of Administrative Proceeding (the “Commencement Notification”), setting a deadline of 4 March 2002 by which Respondent could file a response to the Complaint, was transmitted to Respondent via e-mail, post and fax, to all entities and persons listed on Respondent’s registration as technical, administrative and billing contacts, and to postmaster@argylewines.com by e-mail.

A timely Response (the "Response") was received and determined to be complete on 12 February 2002.

A reply (the "Reply") to the Response was received on 15 February 2002 in a timely manner in accordance with the Forum's Supplemental Rule 7.

On 19 February 2002, pursuant to Complainant’s request to have the dispute decided by a single-member Panel, the Forum appointed Rodney C. Kyle as Panelist.

RELIEF SOUGHT

The Complainant requests that the registration of the domain name at issue be transferred from the Respondent to the Complainant.

PARTIES’ CONTENTIONS

A. Complainant

The Complainant has in its Complaint (wherein, as in the Reply, it is sometimes referred to as "Argyle Winery" or "Complainant") set out a preface to its three main categories of contentions ("[a]", "[b]", and "[c]"), and has then set out those three main categories of contentions, as follows:

"Trademark/Service Mark Information (ICANN Rule 3(b)(viii)):

           

            Argyle Winery, Inc. is a nationally recognized winery based in Dundee, Oregon.  Argyle Winery produces award winning vintages that have earned it the accolade 'Oregon’s premiere winery.'[1]  Argyle Winery has used the 'ARGYLE' trade name since at least as early as 1990, and, through its wholly owned Dundee Wine Company, owns a U.S. federal service trademark registration for ARGYLE for 'wine' (Exhibit A).[2]  Exhibit B gives representative examples of Complainant’s use of the names and marks 'ARGYLE' and 'ARGYLE WINERY.'

[5.]       FACTUAL AND LEGAL GROUNDS

This Complaint is based on the following factual and legal grounds.  See ICANN Rule 3(b)(ix).

[a.]       The Accused Domain Name Is Substantially Identical To Complainant’s Famous Tradename and Service Mark.

ICANN Rule 3(b)(ix)(1); ICANN Policy ¶ 4(a)(i).

           

            This is a run-of-the-mill case in which an opportunistic entity registered a close variation of a famous tradename as its own, with the intent to benefit from the confusion that would ensue and/or profit from selling the domain in question back to the rightful trademark owner.  Respondent here chose to register and use a domain name that is identical to Complainant’s registered trademark and famous tradename, adding only the word (“wines”) that is the very goods for which the mark is registered and the name is famous.  Respondent’s transparent purpose in doing so was to divert traffic to its own website, <girlhire.com>.

            The fame and longevity of Complainant’s genuine use of its ARGYLE and ARGYLE WINERY names and marks is not subject to genuine dispute.  See e.g., Exhibits A and B.  Neither can there be any question that Respondent deliberately chose the domain name ARGYLEWINES precisely to simulate Complainant’s tradename and mark for the purpose of diverting traffic intended for Complainant’s web site.  See Exhibit C (screen captures of Respondent’s site as of February 2, 2002).

            The infringing <argylewines.com> web site advertises 'we provide women' and sets forth their job list as  'ceo model executive lover friend associate fantasy maid secretary date escort host companion guest dinnerdate wife consultant temp gift & exhibition staff,' promising 'Absolute Discretion Assured.'  Prominently displayed under 'November girl' and 'December girl' are intimate photographs of two women in erotic, inviting poses (see Exhibit C).  The confusion of these images with Argyle wines injures the goodwill established by Argyle Winery’s historical tradition of fine winemaking.  As a result, Complainant’s goodwill in its tradename and mark are being damaged through lost potential revenue from consumers attempting to access Complainant’s site, but being diverted to Respondent’s site.  Furthermore,  customers and prospective customers of Argyle wines are certain to find the adult content displayed on Respondent's web site unexpected and inappropriate, and for that reason may entirely abandon their attempts to learn more about genuine Argyle wines. 

[b.]       Respondent Should Be Considered As Having No Rights Or Legitimate Interests In The Domain Name <argylewines.com>.

            ICANN Rule 3(b)(ix)(2); ICANN Policy ¶¶ 4(a)(ii), 4(c).

(i.) Respondent has never been commonly known by the name

ARGYLEWINES or 'Argyle.'   Respondent did not register the domain name in question until January 25, 2002, long after Complainant established a successful and reputable wine business, including but not limited to its <argylewinery.com> web site. 

(ii.) Respondent is not making any legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the

domain name.  Rather, Respondent Telmex Management Services’ registration of <argylewines.com> is not only likely to cause confusion, it is certain to do so, including but not limited to creating the misimpression that it operates under the auspices of, or has the approval of, Argyle Winery.  It does not.  On information and belief, Telmex Management Services is merely a pseudonym for <girlhire.com>, vendors of an online escort service (see Exhibit D, dialog box opened by clicking on Respondent’s web site).  On information and belief, Telmex Management Services registered the domain name <argylewines.com> to capture and redirect traffic intended for the genuine Argyle Winery website.  Argyle Winery, Inc. brings this Complaint in an effort to right at least part of the harm caused by Respondent Telmex Management Services’ wrongful acts.

[c.]        Why The Domain Name Should Be Considered As Having Been Registered And Being Used In Bad Faith.

            ICANN Rule 3(b)(ix)(3); ICANN Policy ¶¶ 4(a)(iii), 4(b).

(i)         As noted above, Respondent has used <argylewines.com> to attempt to attract Internet users to Respondent’s web site for its commercial gain.  By using the name ARGYLEWINES, Respondent has created a likelihood of confusion (including initial confusion) with the Complainant’s name and mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of that web site and the products, services, and material offered or published there. The fact that Respondent deliberately chose ARGYLEWINES as its name is itself sufficient evidence of Respondent’s bad faith.  See, e.g., Federal Court of Canada v. Federalcourtofcanada.com, AF-0563 (eResolution Mar. 9, 2001); Minnesota State Lottery v. Mendes, FA 96701 (Nat. Arb. Forum Apr. 2, 2001) ('mnlottery.com' confusingly similar to 'Minnesota State Lottery'); Bama Rags, Inc. v. Zuccarini, (Nat. Arb. Forum FA 94380) (ordering transfer of <davemathews-band.com> to owner of mark 'DAVE MATTHEWS BAND'); Chanel, Inc. v. ESTCO Tech. Group, D2000-0413 (WIPO Sept. 18, 2000) (<chanelstore.com> and <chanelfashion.com> confusingly similar to Complainant’s mark CHANEL).

(ii)        Respondent’s registration of ARGYLEWINES was calculated to prey upon a common Internet search strategy.  Respondent’s domain name simply replaces 'winery' in Complainant’s name with 'wines,' the product that Complainant produces.  When searching for a product, an Internet consumer often searches by typing in the name of the desired product, and adding '.com' to access that vendor’s site.  For instance <chevytrucks.com> re-directs the user to a Chevrolet dealer site, <dellcomputers.com> directs the user to the DELL Company web site, and <beringerwines.com> directs the user to the Beringer Vineyards web site.  Internet users attempting to access the Argyle Winery web site would logically believe that <argylewines.com> is a registered affiliate of the Argyle Winery.  Respondent, moreover, has not demonstrated interest in or prior use of the name 'Argyle' and no apparent intent to engage in the production or sale of wine.  Instead, the clear intent of this choice of domain names was to divert traffic intended for Argyle Winery to Respondent’s web site. 

(iii)       On information and belief, Respondent has previously engaged in bad faith registration of domain names for the transparent purpose of diverting traffic. The WIPO web site http://www.icann.org/udrp/udrpdec.htm lists a recent decision, Digital Channel Partners Ltd. v. Bilham Solutions and Marlies Bilham, D2000-1246 (WIPO Dec.14, 2000), transferring six domain names away from the Respondent(s) (domain names registered by the Respondents found identical or confusingly similar to trade marks to which the Complainant had rights).  In that case, one of the Respondents, Mark Townsend, did business as Telmex Management Services (the Respondent in the current matter).  Mr. Townsend stated in an e-mail to the Chief Executive of the Complainant, 'as you are well aware my associated companies and I register hundreds of domains every single day'.  The Panelist in that case found over fifty domain names registered to Mr. Townsend, including some that 'can have no direct or legitimate link with Mark Townsend (e.g., <TheHyattHotel.com> and <Harvey-Jones.Com>, to take just two).  Thus, Complainant submits that the registration of <argylewines.com> by Telmex Management Services is a part of Respondent’s ongoing bad faith registration of multiple domain names for which it has no legitimate business or personal rights. 

            (iv)       In summary, Respondent’s misleading and bad faith conduct has infringed              and continues to infringe Complainant’s trademark and tradename rights,                               in violation of the Lanham Act (Chapter 22, Title 15 of the United States                           Code)[3] and the principles of the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy."

B. Respondent

The Respondent has in its Response contended, solely by way of pleading, as follows:

"We reserve all rights to the use of that domain name and have not at anytime

attempted to pass off as your client.

The domain is not yet in use by the client, as with all of the domains that

we develop it will point to a random website in our portfolio until such

times as it has been developed fully.

We are based in the BVI and operate largely within the EUROPE.

Our client is based in scotland and is a wine distributor."

and

"We are able to expand on our clients identity, namely :-

Mr Hamish Carlisle a UK resident is the owner of Argyle Wines & Co a BVI

registered company with operations in the UK.

They are new wine distributors to the trade ONLY.

Argyle Wines have commissioned Telmex Management Services, Inc to create,

develop & maintain their future website."

C. Additional Submissions

            The Complainant has in its Reply contended as follows:

"Complainant received a response from Respondent Telmex Management Service ('Telmex') on February 12, 2002.  Complainant submits this Additional Submission as an answer to that response. 

Respondent’s sole response to the Complaint has been to allege that Telmex registered the domain name in dispute for someone else named Argyle.  Whether or not this is a fabrication – for no substantiation of any kind has been submitted, either of the alleged 'client’s' existence or the alleged service contract – it is insubstantial in comparison to the documented evidence of Telmex’s bad faith.  It is also inconsistent with the facts, for Telmex has pointed Argyle’s  famous name not to a wine store in Scotland, but to a softcore pornography and escort service site (girlhire.com). 

Furthermore, Ms. Bradbury failed to provide any basis for belief that the use of the website argylewines.com is now or would ever be in furtherance to a legitimate use. Specifically, Telmex failed to substantiate the claim that its 'client' exists, or that it in fact owns a wine business called Argyle Wines & Co. A mere proposal for a possible future legitimate has no bearing on past and current conduct or the bad faith basis for transferring the domain.

The repeat nature of Telmex’s bad faith must also be considered, as would the gaping loophole that Telmex’s excuse would be asking this panel to create in the ICANN UDRP process if mere unsubstantiated allegations such as Telmex’s were all that is required to prevent transfer to the party whose mark and name are being so severely tarnished.  Complainant submits that Telmex is a recidivist cybersquatter that has alleged a straw man company in hopes that a mere claim to a connection to a company with an alleged intent to produce a product will allow Telmex to keep its web site.

In summary, Telmex has failed to rebut any of the evidence of its bad faith, and has

submitted no evidence of any legitimate rights in the name.  The domain name ArgyleWines.com should be transferred to the genuine, documented owner and maker of quality ARGYLE wines, Argyle Winery."

FINDINGS

In view of Complainant’s and Respondent’s contentions there are three substantive topics to be discussed and decided upon in these reasons for decision.

Those substantive topics are:

(1) whether under Policy ¶ 4(a)(i) the domain name registered by the Respondent is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights;

(2) whether under Policy ¶ 4(a)(ii) the Respondent has any rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name; and

(3) whether under Policy ¶ 4(a)(iii) the domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith.

DISCUSSION

Paragraph 15(a) of the Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Rules”) instructs this Panel to “decide a complaint on the basis of the statements and documents submitted in accordance with the Policy, these Rules and any rules and principles of law that it deems applicable.”

Paragraph 4(a) of the Policy requires that the Complainant must prove each of the following three elements to obtain an order that a domain name should be cancelled or transferred:

(1) the domain name registered by the Respondent is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights;

(2) the Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name; and

(3) the domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith.

As set out below, the Panel finds that all three of the elements listed in the immediately preceding paragraph have been proven in this proceeding.

Identical or Confusingly Similar

The Panel finds that the domain name at issue is confusingly similar to Complainant’s ARGYLE mark because it incorporates Complainant’s mark in its entirety with the term “wines” which are the very goods regarding which the mark is registered.  Moreover, the addition of a top-level domain name like “.com” is irrelevant for purposes of determining confusing similarity.  For example, see (i) Prudential Ins. Co. of Am. v. Irvine, FA 95768 (Nat. Arb. Forum Nov. 6, 2000) finding that the domain name was identical to the complainant’s PRUDENTIAL ONLINE trademark because the root of the domain name, namely the word "Prudential," was identical to the complainant’s mark and that as a result the domain name in its entirety was confusingly similar to the complainant’s family of marks; (ii) Rollerblade, Inc. v. McCrady, D2000-0429 (WIPO June 25, 2000) finding that the top level of the domain name such as “.net” or “.com” does not affect the domain name for the purpose of determining whether it is identical or confusingly similar; and (iii) Parfums Christian Dior v. 1 Netpower, Inc., D2000-0022 (WIPO Mar. 3, 2000) finding that four domain names that added the descriptive words "fashion" or "cosmetics" after the trademark were confusingly similar to the trademark.

Rights or Legitimate Interests

As in Gallup Inc. v. Amish Country Store, FA 96209 (Nat. Arb. Forum Jan. 23, 2001) so too in this case: the Respondent has not been commonly known by the domain name at issue and so does not, on that basis, have "rights or legitimate interests" in respect of the domain name at issue pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(c)(ii).  Moreover, Complainant’s ARGYLE mark connotes its well-known vineyard; as a result, Respondent is presumed not to be commonly known by Complainant’s famous ARGYLE mark, particularly in combination with “wines”, which is what Complainant is known for. Similarly, see for example (i) Victoria’s Secret v. Asdak, FA 96542 (Nat. Arb. Forum Feb. 28, 2001) finding sufficient proof that respondent was not commonly known by a domain name confusingly similar to complainant’s VICTORIA’S SECRET mark because of complainant’s well established use of the mark; and (ii) Nike, Inc. v. B. B. de Boer, D2000-1397 (WIPO Dec. 21, 2000) finding no rights or legitimate interests in respect of that domain name at issue where one “would be hard pressed to find a person who may show a right or legitimate interest” in a domain name containing complainant's distinct and famous NIKE trademark.

Furthermore, as in Robo Enter., Inc. v. Tobiason, FA 95857 (Nat. Arb. Forum Dec. 24, 2000) so too in this case: the Respondent is not making a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the domain name at issue pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(c)(iii) because the domain name at issue is likely to cause confusion among consumers as to the sponsorship and affiliation of the Complainant with the Respondent.

Moreover, as in MatchNet plc v. MAC Trading, D2000-0205 (WIPO May 11, 2000) so too in this case: the respondent’s use of the confusingly similar domain name to offer sexually explicit services for commercial gain is not a bona fide offering of goods pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(c)(i).

Furthermore, as in AT&T Corp. v. Domains by Brian Evans, D2000-0790 (WIPO Sept. 27, 2000) so too in this case: the Respondent did not even provide evidence of the existence of its contended client, or of its contended client’s business, so it cannot be determined to have "rights or legitimate interests" in respect of the disputed domain name.

Registration and Use in Bad Faith

The Respondent’s use of the confusingly similar domain name at issue, which is confusingly similar to the Complainant’s well-established mark, to offer sexually explicit services is evidence of bad faith. Similarly, see for example (i) Brown & Bigelow, Inc. v. Rodela, FA 96466 (Nat. Arb. Forum Mar. 5, 2001) finding use of another's well-known mark to provide a link to a pornographic site is evidence of bad faith registration and use; and (ii) MatchNet plc. v. MAC Trading, D2000-0205 (WIPO May 11, 2000) finding that the association of a confusingly similar domain name with a pornographic website can constitute bad faith.

Moreover, the Respondent’s use of the confusingly similar domain name for commercial gain constitutes bad faith pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(b)(iv) because it will inevitably lead Internet users to think the Complainant is associated with the Respondent’s website. Similarly, see for example (i) Perot Sys. Corp. v. Perot.net, FA 95312 (Nat. Arb. Forum Aug. 29, 2000) finding bad faith where the domain name in question is obviously connected with the complainant’s well-known marks, thus creating a likelihood of confusion strictly for commercial gain; and (ii) Reuters Ltd. v. Global Net 2000, Inc., D2000-0441 (WIPO July 13, 2000) finding bad faith where the respondent attracted users to a website sponsored by the respondent and created confusion with the complainant’s mark as to the source, sponsorship, or affiliation of that website.

Furthermore, the Respondent’s selection of the ARGYLE mark combined with “wines”, the very product Complainant is famous for, and the lack of evidence that Respondent is in any way affiliated with wine service indicates that Respondent knew of Complainant’s mark and business and deliberately registered a confusingly similar domain name to capitalize on the Complainant’s goodwill.  That is evidence of bad faith. Similarly, see for example Samsonite Corp. v. Colony Holding, FA 94313 (Nat. Arb. Forum Apr. 17, 2000) finding that evidence of bad faith includes actual or constructive knowledge of a commonly known mark at the time of registration.

DECISION

It is the decision of the Panel that the registration of the domain name at issue be transferred from the Respondent to the Complainant.

Rodney C. Kyle, Panelist
Dated: March 4, 2002


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