information The .UA Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy Will Be Applicable To .COM.UA

On 19 December 2019, the amendments of the .UA Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy will come into force, according to which it will be possible to consider domain disputes on third-level domains (.COM.UA). Previously (since 19 March 2019) it was possible to use the alternative procedure only for second-level domains (.UA).

Taking into account that there are many current litigation matters in Ukraine with respect to the illegal use of trademarks and company names with domain names .COM.UA, this change is very important for Ukraine as:

• it will allow right holders to protect more effectively their intellectual property rights in domain names with gTLDs .COM.UA, within a shorter time-frame and at less cost;
• it will allow right holders to avoid long (sometimes 1-2 years) and expensive litigation;
• it will reduce the pressure of too many cases for the courts.

Second-level domains (.UA) have always had better protection from cybersquatting and other violations, since such domains could be registered only if the company has a registered trademark. As for third-level domains.COM.UA, they could be purchased without the right for the trademark via a simpler registration procedure. This is why right holders have often encountered violations of intellectual property rights on websites with these domains.

Therefore, the possibility of resolving disputes over .COM.UA domain names in out-of-court dispute resolution procedures under the .UA Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy will substantially simplify the issue of rights protection.

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