The Complainant founded in 1845, is a well-known Swiss chocolate manufacturer and a global leader in the premium chocolate category. It produces high-quality chocolates at 12 production sites in Europe and the United States. Its products are sold by over 41 subsidiaries and branch offices, in more than 650 of its own stores, as well as via a global network of approximately 100 distributors. With over 15,000 employees, the Complainant reported sales of CHF 5.92 billion in 2025. Over the years, the Complainant has expanded its brand portfolio abroad and acquired chocolate businesses including Hofbauer and Küfferle (1994), Caffarel (1997), Ghirardelli (1998) and Russell Stover (2014). Russel Stover was founded in 1923, and USD 377 million US$ of sales under this brand were generated.<\/p>\n
The Complainant’s RUSSELL STOVER brand enjoys a well-established social media presence on Facebook, on Instagram and on LinkedIn.<\/i><\/p>\n
The disputed domain name was registered on August 14, 2026. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n The disputed domain Name has resolved to a website using the Complainant´s mark and providing the impression that it is an original site, also by the <\/i>footer text which says „ ‘© 2026 Russell Stover Chocolates, LLC“. The website employed a similar colour scheme, layout, product listings, product imagery, and payment-related references, creating the false impression of a legitimate online retail platform operated by, affiliated with, or authorised by the Complainant.<\/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.<\/p>",
"no_response_filed": " The Complainant contends, inter alia, that the disputed domain name fully incorporates the Complainant’s <\/span>marks and is accordingly sufficiently similar.<\/p>\n Further, the Respondent was not authorized by the Complainant to make use of his mark. The Respondent is not an authorized or legitimate reseller, inter alia since his relation to the trademark owner is not disclosed.<\/p>\n Bad faith is evidenced by Complainant´s mark being decades older and connected with goodwill and recognition and that the website to the Domain Name resolved which was <\/span>designed to impersonate or pass off as the Complainant by presenting itself as an official or otherwise authorized RUSSEL STOVER online store.<\/p>\n 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": [
"Dietrich Beier"
],
"date_of_panel_decision": "2026-10-16 00:00:00",
"informal_english_translation": " The Complainant is the proprietor of several trademark registrations for RUSSEL STOVER, among them the European Union Trademark registration 004342077 from April 26, 2026 in classes 30, 35, being in effect.<\/p>",
"decision_domains": {
"russellstovershop.com": "TRANSFERRED"
},
"panelist": null,
"panellists_text": null
}
No administratively compliant Response has been filed.<\/p>",
"rights": "