UDRP – Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy is an administrative mechanism established by WIPO and adopted by ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) in 1999. This mechanism enables the efficient, swift, and low-cost resolution of disputes between trademark holders and domain name registrants involving unlawful use, particularly in cases of cybersquatting (the abusive registration of a domain name that matches or closely resembles a trademark with the intent of gaining profit).
The Conference on the 25th Anniversary of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), held on April 23, 2025, in Geneva and online, offered not only an evaluation of the achievements to date but also an in-depth discussion on the improvements that need to be undertaken in the future to better protect intellectual property rights in the digital space.
Proposed innovations and future directions:
- The creation of an appeal mechanism was addressed as an urgent need to ensure greater legal certainty and to avoid potentially biased or inaccurate decisions. Currently, UDRP decisions are final and do not provide for an internal appeal procedure.
- The implementation of artificial intelligence in case review, to assist in the preliminary analysis of claims, the classification of cases, and the identification of repeated or abusive practices. This is expected to reduce procedural time and increase efficiency.
- The adaptation of the procedure to decentralized domains (e.g., blockchain-based), which are currently not covered by the UDRP framework and present major enforcement challenges for online rights.
- The expansion of language accessibility and inclusion of new jurisdictions, so that UDRP becomes more inclusive and ensures equal protection of trademark holders’ rights across different countries.
- Strengthening cooperation with domain name registrars and online platforms to prevent infringements at the point of domain registration, through the integration of monitoring tools and early intervention.
- Enhancing transparency and accountability in the selection of panelists and case handling, in order to strengthen user trust in the decision-making process.
