{ "case_number": "CAC-UDRP-107862", "time_of_filling": "2025-08-21 12:02:00", "domain_names": [ "russell-stover-candies.com" ], "case_administrator": "Olga Dvořáková (Case admin)", "complainant": [ "Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG" ], "complainant_representative": "SILKA AB", "respondent": [ "Gro Brenden" ], "respondent_representative": null, "factual_background": "

The Panel accepts the following as non-contested facts based upon the record as filed, and in the absence of any submission by the Respondent.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Complainant, founded in 1845, is a well-known chocolate maker based in Switzerland. As a leader in the market of chocolate, the Complainant produces chocolates from 12 production sites owned by the Complainant in Europe and the United States. These are sold by 38 subsidiaries and branch offices, as well as via a network of over 100 independent distributors around the globe. The Complainant also operates more than 500 shops. With around 15,000 employees, the Complainant reported sales of CHF 5.47 billion in 2024. Over the years, the Complainant has expanded its brand portfolio abroad and acquired chocolate businesses including Hofbauer and Küfferle<\/em> (1994), Caffarel<\/em> (1997), Ghirardelli<\/em> (1998) and Russell Stover<\/em> (2014).  <\/p>\n

The Complainant acquired the United States-based entity then known as Russell Stover Candies, LLC in 2014 for approximately USD 1.6 billion. This transaction was widely reported in multiple online news sources.<\/p>\n

Russell Stover was founded in 1923 in Denver, Colorado, and has been headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, since 1932. The company adopted the name Russell Stover Candies<\/em> in 1943, having previously operated as Stover’s Bungalow Candies<\/em>. In 2016, the entity’s legal name was changed to Russell Stover Chocolates, LLC. Today, Russell Stover chocolates are produced in the United States at three factories and are available for purchase in 13 retail locations. In 2022, the Russell Stover division of the Complainant generated sales of USD 377 million. <\/p>\n

The Complainant has advertised its products online via the domain name <russellstover.com> for more than two decades. It also holds the domain names <russellstover.net> (registered in 2010) and <russellstover.us> (registered in 2014). The Complainant previously owned the disputed domain name <russell-stover-candies.com> (registered in 1997) which lapsed in early 2025. Historical domain registration records confirm its previous ownership by the Complainant and, prior to the 2014 acquisition, by Russell Stover. Internet Archive records further show that, for at least a decade before it lapsed, the domain was configured to redirect to the official Russell Stover website at <RUSSELLSTOVER.COM>.<\/p>\n

The Complainant’s RUSSELL STOVER brand maintains a substantial social media presence, with approximately 48,000 followers on Facebook, 21,000 followers on Instagram , and 10,000 followers on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n

The Complainant's rights predate the registration of the domain name on 23 June 2025.<\/p>", "other_legal_proceedings": "

The Panel is not aware of any other legal proceedings which are pending or decided and which relate to the disputed domain name.<\/p>", "no_response_filed": "

The Complainant contends that the requirements of the Policy have been met and that the disputed domain name should be transferred to it.
No administratively compliant Response has been filed.<\/p>", "rights": "

The Complainant has, to the satisfaction of the Panel, shown the disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights (within the meaning of paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy).<\/p>", "no_rights_or_legitimate_interests": "

The Complainant has, to the satisfaction of the Panel, shown the Respondent to have no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain name (within the meaning of paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Policy).<\/p>", "bad_faith": "

The Complainant has, to the satisfaction of the Panel, shown the disputed domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith (within the meaning of paragraph 4(a)(iii) of the Policy).<\/p>", "procedural_factors": "

The Panel is satisfied that all procedural requirements under UDRP were met and there is no other reason why it would be inappropriate to provide a decision.<\/p>", "decision": "Accepted", "panelists": [ "Udo Pfleghar B.A. (Melb.)" ], "date_of_panel_decision": "2025-09-23 00:00:00", "informal_english_translation": "

 The Complainant is the holder of numerous earlier rights, including but not limited to the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Trademark<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Origin<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Registration Number<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Registration Date<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Class(es) Covered<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

RUSSELL STOVER<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

US <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

739454<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16 Oct 1962<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

RUSSELL STOVER<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

MX<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

421292<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4 Sep 1992<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

RUSSELL STOVER<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

CA<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

TMA442500<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5 May 1995<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

RUSSELL STOVER<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

EUTM <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

004342077<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

28 Apr 2006<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30, 35<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

RUSSELL STOVER<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

International Registration<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1243266<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

28 Jan 2015<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29, 30, 35, 43<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>", "decision_domains": { "russell-stover-candies.com": "TRANSFERRED" }, "panelist": null, "panellists_text": null }