FACTS ASSERTED BY THE COMPLAINANT AND NOT CONTESTED BY THE RESPONDENT:
PROCEDURAL ISSUES
Request of consolidation of the dispute
(Rules, Paragraph 10(e); Policy, Paragraph 4(f))
the Respondent in this administrative proceeding is:
AI LONG XIONG,
E-mail: loveok2015@163.com; fashionshoesoutlet@gmail.com
Telephone number.: +86.15987689456
Address: chang an street No.1 Guangzhou, Guangdong (China)
Pursuant to the rules, the Complainant brings to the Panel’s attention the evidence that the Disputed domain names are subject to an evident common control, thus making the consolidation of the dispute equitable and procedurally efficient.
In the case of the Disputed domain names, the elements establishing the existence of a common control are clear-cut. First and foremost, the Disputed domain names are/were replicas of a same website. In particular, the layouts and the graphical templates are almost identical.
The analysis of the data shown in the historic WHOIS records confirms that the registrant of the Disputed domain names is AI LONG XIONG.
Accordingly, Complainant finds that such evidences are concrete and sufficient to prove that the Disputed domain names are subject to a common control, and asks the Panel the consolidation of the five domain names in a single dispute, thus referring hereinafter to a unique “Respondent”.
Language of the Proceedings
Paragraph 11(a) of the Rules provides that:
"Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties, or specified otherwise in the Registration Agreement, the language of the administrative proceeding shall be the language of the Registration Agreement, subject to the authority of the Panel to determine otherwise, having regard to the circumstances of the administrative proceeding."
The language of the Registration Agreement for all of the Disputed domain names at issue is English.
Furthermore, all of the reported domain names at issue resolved/resolves to online e-shops which were/are entirely operated in English; in addition, all of the domain names at issue include the English words "sale", "shoe","shoesonline", "uk" and consist of English/Latin characters.
Having regard to the circumstances of the administrative proceeding, the Complainant kindly requests that the language of proceedings be English.
FACTUAL GROUNDS
The Complainant, Roger Vivier S.p.A. is a company with headquarters in Sant’Elpidio al Mare, Italy. Roger Vivier S.p.A. is known around the world as one of most prominent high-end fashion and luxury industry.
The first boutique of the brand was established in Paris, France, in 1937 by a young French fashion designer Monsieur Roger Henri Vivier (13 November 1903 - 3 October 1998) who specialized in shoes. His best-known creation was the “stiletto heel”.
On August 29, 1968 the figurative mark “Roger Vivier Boutique” was given worldwide trademark protection through numerous national and international trademark registrations.
Currently the company actively designs a wide range of luxury products such as shoes, bags and women accessories distributed all around the world through more than 44 prestigious Boutiques. As of 2016 the company released a worldwide turnover of 166,3 million €.
The trademark “Roger Vivier” is distinctive and well known all around the world, it has been registered for the first time in 1968, although it had already been previously advertised since the early Fifties in numerous media, such as newspapers and specialized magazines.
Throughout the last decades ROGER VIVIER S.p.A. has designed and created the shoes of many celebrities, such as Cate Blanchett, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, Sharon Stone, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet and Katie Holmes.
In the last years, the Maison has been expanding its target to new eastern markets both by hiring renowned testimonials and by opening new sale points in Beijing, Shenyang, Taipei and Hong Kong in Fall 2012.
LEGAL GROUNDS
PART I
The domain names is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights;
(Policy, Paragraph 4 [a] (i); Rules, Paragraphs 3 [b] (viii), [b] (ix)(1))
Pursuant to the Rules, Paragraph 3 [b] (ix), to the Policy, Paragraph 4 [a] (i), and the aforementioned evidence, the Complainant maintains that the Respondent’s domain names <roger-vivier.com>, <rogervivieronsale.com>, <rogerviviershoe.top>, <rogerviviershoesonlines.com> and <rogervivieruk.top> are identical or confusingly similar to the abovementioned Complainant’s registered trademarks, websites and company names in which the Complainant has rights.
The sole addition of common words to the second level domain does not lessen the extent to which the domain name is confusingly similar to Complainant's trademark, because it incorporates the entire well-known trademark.
In the case at issue, the Disputed domain names entirely incorporate Complainant’s trademark as initial and prominent element, the combinations of this trademark with generic words (such as “sale”, “shoe”, “shoesonlines”, “uk”) are not sufficient to exclude a finding of confusing similarity.
It has been ruled many times before that, when a registered name is fully incorporated in a domain name, it may be sufficient for demonstrating similarity.
The Disputed domain names incorporate the entirety of the registered mark, with the addition of a generic term. Moreover, the sole alteration of the generic top-level domain (gTLD) name ".com" is without legal significance since the use of a gTLD is required of domain name registrants and does not serve to identify a specific service provider as a source of goods or services. Therefore, Complainant finds the domain names at issue identical or confusingly similar to Complainant’s trademarks.
LEGAL GROUNDS
PART II
The Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name(s);
(Policy, Paragraph 4 [a] (ii); Rules, Paragraph 3 [b] (ix)(2))
The Respondent has never been authorized by the Complainant to use the Disputed domain names and Respondent is neither the Complainant’s representative nor an authorized licensee, neither a dealer nor a reseller. The Complainant has never had any business relationship with the Respondent, which has never been allowed to use ROGER VIVIER S.p.A.’s intellectual property rights.
Pursuant to the Rules, Paragraph 3(b)(ix)(2), the Complainant finds that the Respondent has neither rights nor legitimate interests in respect of the Disputed domain names.
In particular, a) Respondent does not have rights or legitimate interests arising from a bona fide offering of goods or services or from legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the domain name. b) Respondent has not been commonly known by the domain name and holds no trademark or service mark rights in the mark “ROGER VIVIER”.
a) Pursuant to the Policy, Paragraph 4(c)(i) - (c)(iii), the Respondent does not have rights or legitimate interests arising from a bona fide offering of goods or services or from legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the domain name.
The Disputed domain names currently resolve to websites that were/are offering for sale counterfeit products and were/are exploiting the notoriety and the fame of the Complainant’s registered trademarks with the sole aim of selling counterfeit products.
In the case at hand, “ROGER VIVIER” is neither a generic term, nor descriptive, and it is not a dictionary word, rather it is an inherently distinctive trademark which solely refers to - and should belong to - ROGER VIVIER S.p.A.
Considered that no relationship or contact has ever been established between the parties and no lawful connection to the denomination “ROGER VIVIER” appears from the records either, the Complainant could not find any evidence on which to ground the assumption that the Respondent is making a bona fide offering of goods or services related to the denomination “ROGER VIVIER”. Rather, the Complainant contends that the Respondent has entirely incorporated and was/is using the Complainant’s trademark as domain name to attract internet users to websites that offer counterfeit goods, by creating a likelihood of confusion with the “ROGER VIVIER” mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of its website, thus capitalizing on the value of the Complainant’s trademark, and this use constitutes neither a bona fide offering of goods or services nor a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the domain.
In light of the evidences provided and to the best of the Complainant’s knowledge, the Complainant could neither find any evidence of the Respondent’s use of, or demonstrable preparations to use, the domain names in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services, nor observe any legitimate non-commercial or fair use of the domain name. Rather (as proved by the screenshots provided as annexes to the Complaint) the Disputed domain names have all been used to sell counterfeit products, even after Complainant’s cease and desist letters notifying the Respondent of such criminal conduct.
Two of the Disputed domain names - <roger-vivier.com> and <rogervivieruk.top> - were suspended upon the Complainant’s request by the relevant internet service providers in May 2017, but they have been brought back online and the Respondent is currently operating them to sell counterfeit products bearing Complainant’s trademarks.
b) Pursuant to the Policy, Paragraph 4(c)(ii), Respondent has not been commonly known by the domain name, and holds no trademark or service mark rights in the mark “ROGER VIVIER”.
According to the gathered WHOIS information the registrant is not commonly known as “ROGER VIVIER”. Consequently, the Complainant alleges that the Respondent is not known by the domain name and there is no evidence of active use of the domain name to indicate that the Respondent might reasonably be considered to have rights or legitimate interests in respect of it.
LEGAL GROUNDS
PART III
The domain name(s) was/were registered and is/are being used in bad faith.
(Policy, paragraphs 4(a)(iii), 4(b); Rules, paragraph 3(b)(ix)(3))
The Complainant contends that the Respondent (a) has registered and (b) has been using the Disputed domain names in bad faith.
a) Respondent has registered the domains in bad faith
As mentioned above [Factual Grounds], the Complainant has been using the “ROGER VIVIER” trademark since the early Fifties in connection with its products and has acquired fame to a great extent all over the world, among others, through advertisement on the media (e.g. newspapers, specialized magazines, television and the internet).
It is indisputable that the Respondent was aware of the fame and notoriety of the trademark “ROGER VIVIER” as it has consciously incorporated it in its domain names in order to attract internet users and to sell counterfeit products.
Such behavior is disrupting Roger Vivier S.p.A.’s business; unwary customers could reasonably suppose to be buying “ROGER VIVIER” authentic products – on a related official website of Roger Vivier S.p.A. – since the look & feel of the website resembles that of the Complainant’s official website and the products offered for sale are exact forged copies of the well-known ROGER VIVIER ones.
In any event, the sale of counterfeit products bearing the Complainant’s trademark is jeopardizing Complainant’s brand image and reputation before actual and potential consumers.
In May 2017 the Complainant demanded and obtained the immediate removal of all the infringing contents hosted on the domain names at issue – upon the intervention of the relevant internet service providers – grounded on solid evidences of sales of “ROGER VIVIER” counterfeit products, which were brought to their attention.
On July 3, 2017, again, the Complainant requested the Respondent to immediately cease and desist from all use and/or illegitimate sales of products bearing the “ROGER VIVIER” trademark and any similar trademarks on all the disputed websites, by removing all the contents from the Disputed domain names at issue and by deleting all offerings of “ROGER VIVIER” counterfeit products from all illegitimate domain names that it has registered. Moreover, Complainant requested the transfer of the ownership of the Disputed domain names to the legitimate owner i.e. the Complainant.
Nevertheless, regardless of the intervention of the relevant internet service providers and the Complainant’s clear and detailed notice, the Respondent did not disable all the Disputed domains and continued its illegitimate business in association with the “ROGER VIVIER” mark.
Also, the Respondent has not proceeded to the transfer of the domain at issue to the legitimate owner – as expressly requested in the Complainant’s cease and desist letter – and has therefore clearly demonstrated its bad faith by keeping the Disputed domain names in its own name for no actual purpose rather than having them at its disposal for new sales of counterfeit items or other illegitimate use.
The lack of any lawful connection between Respondent and Complainant and of any other possible legitimate ground, along with the Respondent’s criminal conduct, clearly shows that the Respondent proceeded to the registration of the Disputed domain names solely to exploit “ROGER VIVIER” fame and notoriety and thus to obtain unlawful advantages through the sale of counterfeit items bearing the Complainant’s trademarks.
It is clear that the Respondent registered the Disputed domain names with the Complainant’s trademarks in mind and this supports a finding of bad faith registration on its side.
b) Respondent has been using the Disputed domain names in bad faith
Bad faith is manifest when the Respondent makes use of the domain names to intentionally attempt to attract, for commercial gain in connection with unlawful sales, internet users to its website by creating a likelihood of confusion with the Complainant’s mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation or endorsement of Respondent’s website (Policy Paragraph 4(b)(iv)).
As indicated above, the Disputed domain names are confusingly similar or identical to the Complainant’s trademark: furthermore, the Disputed domain names have or have had a clear commercial purpose. All the domain names exploit the “ROGER VIVIER” trademark in such a manner as to appear to a visitor to be in connection with the Complainant’s business. Thus, the Respondent uses the domain names at issue to intentionally attempt to attract, for commercial gain, internet users to its website by creating a likelihood of confusion with the Complainant’s mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of the site.
The Respondent’s websites advertise for sale numerous counterfeit “ROGER VIVIER” shoes, bags and pochettes. The sale of such counterfeit products – on top of representing a violation of relevant trademark and consumer protection regulations – further constitutes a source of confusion for the visitor that might be deceived by the offerings of “ROGER VIVIER” products on a domain name fully incorporating Complainant’s trademark.
In the light of abovementioned behavior, any possible objection by Respondent that the following domain names: <rogervivieronsale.com>, <rogerviviershoe.top>, <rogerviviershoesonlines.com> at present are not employed for the sale of counterfeit items, should be disregarded since the Respondent has used – until Complainant’s intervention – the websites at issue to sell counterfeit products and it could easily modify them to start its illegitimate business anew.
In light of the above, the Complainant contends that, through the registration and use of the domain names for the purpose of selling counterfeit products bearing Complainant’s trademarks, the Respondent has intentionally attempted to attract Internet users to its website for commercial gain by creating a likelihood of confusion with the Complainants’ marks as to source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of Respondent’s site with the sole aim of defrauding unwary final consumers.
The Policy specifically qualifies such conduct as evidence of bad faith under Paragraph 4(b)(iv).
In addition to the reasons provided in Policy, Paragraph 4(b), the Complainant argues that other circumstances could support the finding of bad faith on the Respondent’s side. On this point, previous Panels have found that “[T]he Policy expressly recognizes that other circumstances can be evidence that a domain name was registered and is being used in bad faith” [E.g., CBS Broadcasting, Inc. v. LA-Twilight-Zone, WIPO Case No. D2000-0397 - in this sense also: Do The Hustle, LLC v. Tropic Web, WIPO Case No. D2000-0624 - holding “[T]he examples [of bad faith] in Paragraph 4(b) are intended to be illustrative, rather than exclusive”.
In particular, the Complainant has documented that the Respondent has registered more than seven hundreds other domain names - using, among others, typo squatting techniques - of which several were found to be identical or confusingly similar to established trade mark rights of third parties e.g.: <barbureforsale.top> (Barbour), <rolexmens.top> (Rolex), <timberland2016.top> (Timberland), <pradaoutlet.top> (Prada). Pursuant to the decision [Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation v. Simo Elbaz, WIPO Case No. D2003-0530 - bad faith has been found when the Respondent exhibited a “pattern of registering domain names that correspond closely to marks that are owned by others”, thus bad faith can be found in the present case.
What is more, here the Respondent not only makes unauthorized use of third parties’ registered trademarks as domain names, yet it exploits their fame and notoriety to sell hundreds of counterfeit items.
In light of the aforementioned reasoning and decisions, the Complainant contends that the Respondent’s serious and repeated infringement upon others’ trademark rights constitutes here an additional element of bad faith on its side.
Finally, the Complainant would like to bring to the Panel’s attention that in a similar case, in which the Respondent’s registration and use of the domain name was part of a pattern of registering domain names that incorporate others’ trademarks and famous names, the Panel stated that “bad faith can be found where there is no plausible explanation for the registration of a domain name other than to trade on the goodwill of the Complainant”. [See Yahoo! Inc. and Geo Cities v. Cupcakes, Cupcake City, Cupcake Confidential, Cupcake-Party, Cupcake Parade, and John Zuccarini, WIPO Case No. D2000-0777 (WIPO Oct. 2, 2000)].
This same reasoning may be shifted in the case at issue, in which the Respondent has registered more than seven hundreds other domain names incorporating other trademarks and famous names with no plausible explanation other than the clear purpose of exploiting the fame and notoriety of the complainant for commercial purposes.
The Respondent was well aware of the fame and notoriety of the trademark “ROGER VIVIER” and has incorporated it in its domain names in order to sell counterfeit products: the historic screenshots of the Disputed domain names display numerous counterfeit products bearing and exploiting Complainant’s trademarks. Furthermore, the main page of the Disputed domain names is/was displaying the same logo that can be found on the official website of ROGER VIVIER S.p.A. Such conduct cannot reasonably be intended as accidental, rather it removes any conceivable doubt on Respondent’s bad faith.
On a last note, the behavior of the Respondent – that is still using two of its active websites to sell counterfeit products – is in patent contradiction with the finding of any possible kind of good faith use, actual or future.
In sum, knowing of the existence of the Complainant’s prior rights, the Respondent purposefully used the Complainant’s exact same mark – incorporating it in the Disputed domain names and in the contents of their resolving pages – and illegitimately exploited the Disputed domain names to trade upon and profit from the goodwill that Complainant has built in its ROGER VIVIER marks, by obtaining profit via suitably designed websites dedicated to the sale of counterfeit products.
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