{ "case_number": "CAC-UDRP-108416", "time_of_filling": "2026-02-18 09:29:37", "domain_names": [ "novartisdemo.com" ], "case_administrator": "Olga Dvořáková (Case admin)", "complainant": [ "Novartis AG" ], "complainant_representative": "Abion GmbH", "respondent": [ "Grant Rheingold" ], "respondent_representative": null, "factual_background": "

A<\/strong>. Complainant<\/strong>'s Assertions<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Complainant is a Swiss-based global pharmaceutical company formed in 1996 and is part of the Novartis Group, one of the largest healthcare groups worldwide.<\/p>\n

The Complainant develops and markets innovative medicines and maintains a significant global presence, including substantial operations in the United States. Its products reach hundreds of millions of patients worldwide.<\/p>\n

The Complainant owns and operates various domain names incorporating its NOVARTIS trade mark, including <novartis.com>, through which it provides information about its business and products.<\/p>\n

The NOVARTIS trade mark has been recognised in prior UDRP decisions as well known.<\/p>\n

B<\/strong>. Respondent<\/strong>'s Position<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Respondent did not submit a Response within the time prescribed under the UDRP Rules, nor has it otherwise participated in this proceeding.<\/p>\n

C<\/strong>. Disputed Domain Name<\/strong><\/p>\n

The disputed domain name <novartisdemo.com> was registered on 30 December 2025.<\/p>\n

At the time of the decision, the disputed domain name resolves to an inactive page.<\/p>", "other_legal_proceedings": "

The Panel is unaware of any other pending or decided legal proceedings in respect of the domain name <novartisdemo.com> (the \"disputed domain name\").<\/p>", "no_response_filed": "

A<\/strong>. Complainant<\/strong><\/p>\n

A<\/strong>.1 The disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trade mark in which the Complainant has rights<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Complainant submits that the disputed domain name reproduces the NOVARTIS trade mark in full and merely adds the word \"demo\". It refers to section 1.8 of the WIPO Overview of WIPO Panel Views on Selected UDRP Questions, Third Edition (the \"WIPO Jurisprudential Overview 3.0\"), and maintains that the addition of a descriptive expression does not avoid confusing similarity where the mark remains plainly recognisable.<\/p>\n

The Complainant further submits that the generic Top-Level Domain (the \"TLD\") <.com> should be disregarded for comparison purposes.     <\/p>\n

A<\/strong>.2 The Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain name<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Complainant contends that the Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name.<\/p>\n

According to the Complainant, the Respondent has no connection with the Complainant, has received no permission to use the NOVARTIS trade mark, and is not known by the name reflected in the disputed domain name. The Complainant further contends that no corresponding trade mark rights are held by the Respondent.<\/p>\n

The Complainant states that the form of the disputed domain name is such as to suggest a connection with the Complainant. It also points out that the disputed domain name does not lead to an active website and there is nothing to indicate any genuine commercial use or any legitimate non-commercial or fair use.<\/p>\n

A<\/strong>.3 The disputed domain name was registered and is being used in bad faith<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Complainant maintains that the NOVARTIS trade mark is well known and that the Respondent was likely aware of the Complainant and its rights when the disputed domain name was registered.<\/p>\n

It notes that the disputed domain name was registered many years after the Complainant secured trade mark protection for NOVARTIS.<\/p>\n

The Complainant also states that the combination of NOVARTIS with the word \"demo\" is apt to mislead Internet users into thinking that the disputed domain name is connected with, or authorised by, the Complainant.<\/p>\n

Lastly, the Complainant relies on the fact that the disputed domain name has not been actively used and that, given the distinctiveness of its mark, passive holding in these circumstances is indicative of bad faith.<\/p>\n

A<\/strong>.4 Relief Sought <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Complainant requests that the disputed domain name <novartisdemo.com> be transferred to the Complainant in accordance with paragraph 4(i) of the UDRP Policy.<\/p>\n

B<\/strong>. Respondent<\/strong><\/p>\n

No Response was filed.  The Panel therefore proceeds on the basis of the uncontested evidence and may draw such inferences as it considers appropriate pursuant to Rule 14(b) of the UDRP Rules.<\/p>", "rights": "

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

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

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

The Panel is satisfied that all procedural requirements under the UDRP Policy, the UDRP Rules, and the CAC Supplemental Rules have been met. The dispute is properly before the Panel.<\/p>", "decision": "Accepted", "panelists": [ "Gustavo Moser" ], "date_of_panel_decision": "2026-03-30 00:00:00", "informal_english_translation": "

The Complainant, Novartis AG, is the holder of numerous trade marks for the word mark NOVARTIS, including, inter alia<\/em>:<\/p>\n

• International trade mark registration no. 663765, registered on 1 July 1996;<\/p>\n

• EU trade mark registration no. 013393641, registered on 17 March 2015; and<\/p>\n

• US trade mark registration no. 2336960, registered on 4 April 2000.<\/p>\n

(Each a \"trade mark\" and collectively, the \"Complainant's trade marks\").<\/p>", "decision_domains": { "novartisdemo.com": "TRANSFERRED" }, "panelist": null, "panellists_text": null }