Anima Corp v WangJiahang

WIPO Case No. D2023-3902

ARBITRATION

AND

MEDIATION CENTER

ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION

ANIMA Corp v. WangJiahang

Case No. D2023-3902

1. The Parties

The Complainant is ANIMA Corp, France, represented by Coblence Avocats, France.

The Respondent is WangJiahang, China.

2. The Domain Name and Registrar

The disputed domain name <aminaladymuaddi.com> is registered with OwnRegistrar, Inc. (the “Registrar”).

3. Procedural History

The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the “Center”) on September 18, 2023. On September 19, 2023, the Center transmitted by email to the Registrar a request for registrar verif ication in connection with the disputed domain name. On September 20, 2023, the Registrar transmitted by email to the Center its verification response disclosing registrant and contact information for the disputed domain name which differed from the named Respondent (WhoIsSecure) and contact information in the Complaint. The Center sent an email communication to the Complainant on September 21, 2023, providing the registrant and contact information disclosed by the Registrar, and inviting the Complainant to submit an amendment to the Complaint. The Complainant f iled an amendment to the Complaint on September 22, 2023.

The Center verif ied that the Complaint together with the amendment to the Complaint satisf ied the formal requirements of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Policy” or “UDRP”), the Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Rules”), and the WIPO Supplemental Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Supplemental Rules”).

In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2 and 4, the Center formally notif ied the Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on September 26, 2023. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5, the due date for Response was October 16, 2023. The Respondent did not submit any response. Accordingly, the Center notif ied the Respondent’s default on October 17, 2023.

The Center appointed Mihaela Maravela as the sole panelist in this matter on November 14, 2023. The Panel f inds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the Rules, paragraph 7.

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4. Factual Background

According to information with the Complaint, the Complainant is a French company specialized in the sale of shoes and accessories (leather goods, jewelry etc.) for women under the brand AMINA MUADDI.

The Complainant is the owner of various registered trademarks that consist of or include AMINA MUADDI, including the International trademark no. 1371021 for AMINA MUADDI registered on July 27, 2017 covering products and services in classes 3, 9, 14, 18, 25, 35. The Complainant has registered the domain name <aminamuaddi> since March 09, 2017, which it uses as its of f icial website.

The disputed domain name was registered on July 19, 2023, and resolves to a website purporting to sell AMINA MUADDI goods at discounted prices, over 70% reduction. The website does not include any details of the operator of the website, and displays the stylized trademark of the Complainant.

5. Parties’ Contentions
A. Complainant

The Complainant contends that it has satisfied each of the elements required under the Policy for a transfer of the disputed domain name.

Notably, the Complainant contends that there is a quasi-identity, or at the very least, blatant similarities between its prior trademarks AMINA MUADDI and the disputed domain name, as the disputed domain name is composed of a very similar reproduction of the Complainant’s trademarks AMINA MUADDI. In addition, it dif fers f rom the prior trademarks of the Complainant only by the addition of the verbal element “lady” between the verbal elements “amina” and “muaddi” and the addition of the generic top-level domain (“gTLD”) “.com”, which is irrelevant and cannot be taken into consideration in determining whether there is a confusing similarity.

As regards the second element, the Complainant contends that the Respondent is not af f iliated with the Complainant and has not been authorized by the Complainant to use its prior trademarks or to proceed with the registration of the disputed domain name including the Complainant’s prior trademarks. The disputed domain name redirects to a website that reproduces the Complainant’s prior trademarks and sells what purports to be the Complainant’s goods, thereby the Respondent is intending to take advantage of the use of a domain name whose resemblance to the Complainant’s prior trademarks is confusing.

With respect to the third element, the Complainant argues that the Respondent’s reproduction of the Complainant’s trademarks AMINA MUADDI and the name of products’ collections demonstrate that the disputed domain name has been registered in bad faith, with knowledge by the Respondent of the prior trademark rights of the Complainant. As regards the use, the disputed domain name is used to redirect to a website that reproduces the Complainant’s trademarks, name of products’ collections and is used to sell counterfeit products. Therefore, the Respondent has intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to the website to which the disputed domain name resolves, by creating a likelihood of confusion with the Complainant’s trademarks.

B. Respondent

The Respondent did not reply to the Complainant’s contentions.

6. Discussion and Findings

No response has been received from the Respondent in this case. Accordingly, the Panel considers it can proceed to determine the Complaint based on the statements and documents submitted by the Complainant

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as per paragraph 15(a) of the Rules. The applicable standard of proof in UDRP cases is the “balance of probabilities” or “preponderance of the evidence”, and the Panel can draw certain inferences in light of the particular facts and circumstances of the case. See section 4.2 of the WIPO Overview of WIPO Panel Views on Selected UDRP Questions, Third Edition (“WIPO Overview 3.0”).

To succeed, the Complainant must demonstrate that all of the elements listed in paragraph 4(a) of the Policy have been satisfied: (i) the disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights, (ii) the Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain name, and (iii) the disputed domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith.

A. Identical or Confusingly Similar

It is well accepted that the f irst element functions primarily as a standing requirement. The standing (or threshold) test for confusing similarity involves a reasoned but relatively straightforward comparison between the Complainant’s trademark and the disputed domain name. WIPO Overview 3.0, section 1.7.

Based on the available record, the Panel finds the Complainant has shown rights in respect of a trademark or service mark for the purposes of the Policy. WIPO Overview 3.0, section 1.2.1.

The Panel f inds the entirety of the mark is reproduced within the disputed domain name, with the insertion of the word “lady” in between the terms “amina” and “muaddi”. The Panel does not find the addition of the word “lady” avoids a f inding of confusing similarity, and accordingly f inds the disputed domain name to be confusingly similar to the Complainant’s trademark for the purposes of the Policy. WIPO Overview 3.0, section 1.7. While the addition of other terms here, “lady” may bear on assessment of the second and third elements, the Panel finds the addition of such terms do not prevent a f inding of confusing similarity between the disputed domain name and the mark for the purposes of the Policy. WIPO Overview 3.0, section 1.8.

Based on the available record, the Panel f inds the f irst element of the Policy has been established.

B. Rights or Legitimate Interests

Paragraph 4(c) of the Policy provides a list of circumstances in which the Respondent may demonstrate rights or legitimate interests in a disputed domain name.

While the overall burden of proof in UDRP proceedings is on the complainant, panels have recognized that proving a respondent lacks rights or legitimate interests in a domain name may result in the often impossible task of “proving a negative”, requiring information that is often primarily within the knowledge or control of the respondent. As such, where a complainant makes out a prima facie case that the respondent lacks rights or legitimate interests, the burden of production on this element shifts to the respondent to come forward with relevant evidence demonstrating rights or legitimate interests in the domain name. If the respondent fails to come forward with such relevant evidence, the complainant is deemed to have satisfied the second element. WIPO Overview 3.0, section 2.1.

Having reviewed the record, the Panel finds the Complainant has established a prima facie case that the Respondent lacks rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name. The Respondent has not rebutted the Complainant’s prima facie showing and has not come forward with any relevant evidence demonstrating rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name such as those enumerated in the Policy or otherwise.

In the present case, the Complainant has established a prima facie case that it holds rights over the trademark AMINA MUADDI and claims that the Respondent has no legitimate reason to acquire or use the disputed domain name. There is no evidence that the Respondent is using the disputed domain name in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services. Rather, according to the unrebutted evidence of the Complainant, the disputed domain name is used to offer for sale AMINA MUADDI goods at a significantly

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discounted price. Comparing the prices for the original product on the Complainant’s website and the product at the disputed domain name (over 70% price reduction), it is reasonable to conclude that those of fered on the website at the disputed domain name are counterfeit products. As a result, the Panel finds on balance of probabilities that the website to which the disputed domain name resolves of fers counterfeits of the Complainant’s products. (Even if the products were genuine, the lack of any disclaimer on the website at the disputed domain name as to the registrant’s relationship with the trademark owner or the lack thereof , would falsely suggest to Internet users that the website to which the disputed domain name resolves is owned by the Complainant or at least af f iliated to the Complainant).

Also, there is no evidence that the Respondent is commonly known by the disputed domain name within the meaning of paragraph 4(c)(ii) of the Policy.

Furthermore, the nature of the disputed domain name carries a risk of implied af f iliation and cannot constitute a fair use as it ef fectively impersonates or suggests sponsorship or endorsement by the Complainant. See section 2.5.1 of the WIPO Overview 3.0. The Respondent failed to rebut the prima facie

case made by the Complainant because the Respondent did not respond to the Complainant’s contentions.

Based on the available record, the Panel f inds the second element of the Policy has been established.

C. Registered and Used in Bad Faith

The Panel notes that for the purposes of paragraph 4(a)(iii) of the Policy, paragraph 4(b) of the Policy establishes circumstances, in particular but without limitation, that if found by the Panel to be present, shall be evidence of the registration and use of a domain name in bad faith.

The Complainant’s registration and use of the relevant trademarks predate the date at which the Respondent registered the disputed domain name. The disputed domain name resolves to a website reproducing the Complainant’s trademark and the name of certain shoe collections of the Complainant and purportedly of fering for sale the Complainant’s products but at a much lower price. Given the distinctiveness of the Complainant’s trademark, it is reasonable to infer that the Respondent has registered the disputed domain name with full knowledge of the Complainant’s trademarks, and to target those trademarks.

The use of the term “lady” reinforces the impression that the disputed domain name is connected or endorsed by the Complainant who sells shoes and dif ferent accessories for women and whose CEO is a lady, Mrs. MUADDI. The disputed domain name resolves to a website, which ostensibly of fers counterfeits of the Complainant’s products. As such, the disputed domain name suggests affiliation with the Complainant in order to attract consumers and of fer counterfeit products.

In the Panel’s view, the circumstances of the case represent evidence of registration and use in bad faith of the disputed domain name. The Respondent failed to bring evidence as to the contrary.

Based on the available record, the Panel f inds the third element of the Policy has been established.

7. Decision

For the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the disputed domain name <aminaladymuaddi.com> be transferred to the Complainant.

/Mihaela Maravela/
Mihaela Maravela
Sole Panelist
Date: November 28, 2023