ASML Netherlands B.V. v Michael Hannart

WIPO Case No. D2023-5307

ARBITRATION

AND

MEDIATION CENTER

ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION

ASML Netherlands B.V. v. Michael Hannart

Case No. D2023-5307

1. The Parties

The Complainant is ASML Netherlands B.V., Netherlands (Kingdom of the), internally represented.

The Respondent is Michael Hannart, Belgium.

2. The Domain Name and Registrar

The disputed domain name <nl-asml.com> (the “Domain Name”) is registered with Alibaba.com Singapore

E-Commerce Private Limited (the “Registrar”).

3. Procedural History

The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the “Center”) on December 21,

2023. On December 21, 2023, the Center transmitted by email to the Registrar a request for registrar
verification in connection with the Domain Name. On December 22, 2023, the Registrar transmitted by email
to the Center its verification response disclosing registrant and contact information for the Domain Name
which differed from the named Respondent (Unknown) and contact information in the Complaint. The
Center sent an email communication to the Complainant on December 22, 2023, providing the registrant and
contact information disclosed by the Registrar, and inviting the Complainant to submit an amendment to the

Complaint. The Complainant filed an amended Complaint on December 24, 2023.

The Center verified that the Complaint together with the amended Complaint satisfied 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 notified the Respondent of the
Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on January 4, 2024. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph

5, the due date for Response was January 24, 2024. The Respondent did not submit any response.

Accordingly, the Center notified the Respondent’s default on January 25, 2024.

The Center appointed Nicholas Smith as the sole panelist in this matter on January 29, 2024. The Panel finds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and

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Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the

Rules, paragraph 7.

4. Factual Background

The Complainant is a Dutch multinational company involved in manufacturing and distributing semiconductors and related goods and services. The Complainant has held a trademark registration for

ASML (the “ASML Mark”) in various jurisdictions since 2005, including European Union trademark number

001780360, registered on March 30, 2005, for goods and services in classes 7, 9, 37, 41, and 42.

The Domain Name was registered on October 11, 2023. The Domain Name does not resolve to an active website. The Complaint contains evidence that the Respondent has sent a series of emails from email

accounts in the address format “[…]@nl-asml.com” in connection with a phishing scam where the

Respondent impersonates the Complainant and contacts third party companies either for the purpose of illegitimately acquiring goods or acquiring banking details.

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 Domain Name.

Notably, the Complainant contends that:

a) It is the owner of the ASML Mark, having registered the ASML Mark in the European Union. The

Domain Name is confusingly similar to the ASML Mark as it reproduces the ASML in its entirety and adds the

non-distinctive geographical abbreviation “nl-” (short for the Netherlands (Kingdom of the)).

b) There are no rights or legitimate interests held by the Respondent in respect of the Domain Name.

The Complainant has not granted any license or authorization for the Respondent to use the ASML Mark. The Respondent is not commonly known by the ASML Mark, nor does it use the Domain Name for a bona fide purpose or legitimate noncommercial purpose. Rather, the Domain Name is used for emails

impersonating the Complainant, which does not provide the Respondent with rights or legitimate interests in

the Domain Name.

c) The Domain Name was registered and is being used in bad faith. The Domain Name is being used for

emails that impersonate the Complainant in order to perpetuate fraud.

B. Respondent

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

6. Discussion and Findings

A. Identical or Confusingly Similar

It is well accepted that the first 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 Domain Name. WIPO Overview of WIPO Panel Views on Selected

UDRP Questions, Third Edition (“WIPO Overview 3.0”), section 1.7.

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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 finds the entirety of the mark is reproduced within the Domain Name. Accordingly, the Domain

Name is confusingly similar to the mark for the purposes of the Policy. WIPO Overview 3.0, section 1.7.

While the addition of other term, here “nl-”, may bear on assessment of the second and third elements, the

Panel finds the addition of such term does not prevent a finding of confusing similarity between the 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 finds the first 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 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 Domain Name.

The Panel considers that the record of this case reflects that:

- Before any notice to the Respondent of the dispute, the Respondent did not use, nor has it made
demonstrable preparations to use, the Domain Name or a name corresponding to the Domain Name in
connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services. Paragraph 4(c)(i) of the Policy, and

- WIPO Overview 3.0, section 2.2.

- The Respondent (as an individual, business, or other organization) has not been commonly known by
the Domain Name. Paragraph 4(c)(ii) of the Policy, and WIPO Overview 3.0, section 2.3.

- The Respondent is not making a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the Domain Name, without
intent for commercial gain to misleadingly divert consumers or to tarnish the trademark or service mark
at issue. Paragraph 4(c)(iii) of the Policy, and WIPO Overview 3.0, section 2.4.

- The record contains no other factors demonstrating rights or legitimate interests of the Respondent in
the Domain Name.

Furthermore, the Respondent’s use of the Domain Name is in connection with a phishing scheme, namely,

to send emails passing itself off as the Complainant to third parties seeing to illegally acquire goods or bank
information. UDRP panels have held that the use of a domain name for illegal activity (e.g., the sale of
counterfeit goods or illegal pharmaceuticals, phishing, distributing malware, unauthorized account
access/hacking, impersonation/passing off, or other types of fraud) can never confer rights or legitimate
interests on a respondent. WIPO Overview 3.0, section 2.13.1.

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Based on the available record, the Panel finds 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.

Panels have held that the use of a domain name for illegal activity (e.g., the sale of counterfeit goods or illegal pharmaceuticals, phishing, distributing malware, unauthorized account access/hacking, impersonation/passing off, or other types of fraud) constitutes bad faith. WIPO Overview 3.0, section 3.4.

Having reviewed the record, the Panel finds the Respondent’s registration and use of the Domain Name

constitutes bad faith under the Policy. The Domain Name has been used to create email accounts where the Respondent sends emails purporting to be emails from the Complainant in order to improperly acquire goods or bank details which amounts to the commission of a fraud.

Based on the available record, the Panel finds 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 <nl-asml.com> be transferred to the Complainant.

/Nicholas Smith/

Nicholas Smith

Sole Panelist
Date: January 31, 2024