{ "case_number": "CAC-UDRP-108350", "time_of_filling": "2026-01-22 09:25:48", "domain_names": [ "saint--qobain.com" ], "case_administrator": "Olga Dvořáková (Case admin)", "complainant": [ "COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN" ], "complainant_representative": "NAMESHIELD S.A.S.", "respondent": [ "Nicholas Hanna" ], "respondent_representative": null, "factual_background": "

The Complainant is a French company specialized in the production, processing and distribution of materials for the construction and industrial markets. In 2024, the Complainant reported revenues of approximately EUR 46.6 billion and employed around 160,000 people.<\/p>\n

The disputed domain name was registered on January 15, 2026 and it resolves to an inactive page. In addition, email exchange records (“MX records”) are configured on the disputed domain name.  <\/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.<\/p>\n

Notably, the Complainant contends that the disputed domain name is confusingly similar to its well-known and distinctive SAINT-GOBAIN trademark. The obvious misspelling of the Complainant’s trademark, through the substitution of the letter “G” with the letter “Q” and the addition of a hyphen, does not prevent a finding of confusing similarity. Furthermore, the addition of the generic Top-Level Domain (“gTLD”) “.com” does not prevent a finding of confusing similarity.<\/p>\n

With reference to rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain name, the Complainant contends that the Respondent is not a licensee of the Complainant, is not affiliated with the Complainant in any way, and has not been granted any authorization to make use of the SAINT-GOBAIN trademark. Furthermore, the Complainant claims that the disputed domain name constitutes a typosquatted version of the SAINT-GOBAIN trademark and that the practice of registering a domain name in an attempt to take advantage of Internet users’ typographical errors may evidence a lack of rights or legitimate interests. The disputed domain name resolves to an inactive webpage. The Complainant contends that the Respondent has not made any use of the disputed domain name since its registration and confirms that the Respondent has no demonstrable plan to use it. According to the Complainant, this demonstrates a lack of rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain name.<\/p>\n

With reference to the circumstances evidencing bad faith, the Complainant states that its SAINT-GOBAIN trademark has been extensively used worldwide well before the registration date of the disputed domain name. Furthermore, previous panels have found that the Complainant’s trademark is well known (including in the United States, where the Respondent is allegedly located). The Complainant therefore submits that the Respondent must have been aware of the Complainant’s prior rights and the widespread use of the SAINT-GOBAIN trademark. In addition, the Complainant states that the misspelling of the SAINT-GOBAIN trademark was intentionally designed to create confusion with the Complainant’s mark. The disputed domain name resolves to an inactive webpage and, according to the Complainant, the Respondent has not demonstrated any activity in respect of the disputed domain name. The Complainant further argues that it is not possible to conceive of any plausible actual or contemplated active use of the disputed domain name by the Respondent that would not be illegitimate, such as passing off, infringement of consumer protection legislation, or infringement of the Complainant’s trademark rights. Finally, the disputed domain name has been configured with MX records, which, in the Complainant’s view, suggests that it may be used for email purposes. The Complainant submits that this is indicative of bad faith registration and use, as any email emanating from the disputed domain name could not be used for any good faith purpose.<\/p>\n

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": [ "Stefan Bojovic" ], "date_of_panel_decision": "2026-02-14 00:00:00", "informal_english_translation": "

The Complainant is the owner of number of registered trademarks for the SAINT-GOBAIN trademark, including the following:<\/p>\n