{ "case_number": "CAC-UDRP-108496", "time_of_filling": "2026-03-17 12:43:21", "domain_names": [ "giradelli.com" ], "case_administrator": " Iveta Špiclová (Czech Arbitration Court) (Case admin)", "complainant": [ "Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG" ], "complainant_representative": "SILKA AB", "respondent": [ "Domain Privacy" ], "respondent_representative": null, "factual_background": "

FACTS ASSERTED BY THE COMPLAINANT AND NOT CONTESTED 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 premium quality chocolate, the Complainant produces chocolates from 12 own production sites in Europe and the United States. These are sold by over 35 subsidiaries and branch offices, as well as via a network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe. The Complainant also runs more than 500 own shops. With around 15,000 employees, the Complainant reported sales of CHF 5.47 billion in 2024. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Complainant acquired the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company (‘Ghirardelli’) in 1998. Ghirardelli, one of the oldest US-based chocolate companies, was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. In FY 2024, Ghirardelli reported sales of USD 888 million. Ghirardelli chocolates are sold through numerous stores, retail partners and wholesale distributors. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Complainant advertises and sells its confectionery products to consumers online through its official website from the domain name <ghirardelli.com>, <\/span>a domain name registered in 1998.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Complainant’s GHIRARDELLI offerings are frequently featured in lists collating the most popular chocolate brands in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Domain Name was registered on 4 January 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

T<\/span>he Complainant sent a notice to the Respondent in early February 2026, drawing the Respondent’s attention to the Complainant’s trade mark rights and requesting the Domain Name’s transfer. The Respondent did not reply to this correspondence.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the time of the Complainant, the Domain Name resolved to a site which, under the heading ‘Buy this domain<\/em>’, presents categories including ‘PERSONALIZED CHOCOLATE GIFTS<\/em>’ and ‘GOURMET DARK CHOCOLATE DELIVERY<\/em>’. These categories contain pay-per-click (‘PPC’) links directing internet users to third-party websites and services, a number of which compete with or are otherwise related to the Complainant’s field of business, including chocolate products and gift retailers.<\/p>\n


<\/span><\/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 (the \"Domain Name\").<\/p>", "no_response_filed": "


The Complainant contends that the requirements of the Policy have been met and that the Domain Name should be transferred to it.<\/p>\n

No administratively compliant Response has been filed.<\/p>", "rights": "

The Complainant has, to the satisfaction of the Panel, shown the 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 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 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": [ "Matthew Harris" ], "date_of_panel_decision": "2026-04-16 00:00:00", "informal_english_translation": "

The Complainant relies upon numerous registered trade marks worldwide that comprise or incorporate the term GHIRARDELLI. <\/p>\n

They include:<\/p>\n

(i)  United States registered trade mark no 205776 for GHIRARDELLI as a standard character mark with a filing date of 21 May 1925 and with a registration date of 17 November 1925 in class 30;<\/span><\/p>\n

(ii)  European Union registered trade mark no 003716453 for GHIRARDELLI as a word mark with a filing date of 17 March 2004 and with a registration date of 27 July 2005 in classes 30, 35, 42, and 43; and<\/span><\/p>\n

(iii)  International registered trade mark no 826074 for GHIRARDELLI as a word mark with a filing date of 30 March 2004 in classes 30, 35, and 43, and which has proceeded to grant at least in part in nine jurisdictions. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>", "decision_domains": { "giradelli.com": "TRANSFERRED" }, "panelist": null, "panellists_text": null }