Generic Top Level Domain Name (gTLD) Decisions

Flightcom Corporation
COMPLAINANT,

vs.

Bibas&Schachi.
RESPONDENT.

The above entitled matter came on for an administrative hearing on June 15, 2000 before the undersigned on the Complaint of Flightcom Corporation, hereinafter “Complainant”, against Bibas&Schachi, hereafter "Respondent".

Upon the written submitted record, the following DECISION is made:

PROCEDURAL FINDINGS

Domain Name: Flightcom.com

Domain Name Registrar: Network Solutions, Inc.

Domain Name Registrant:  Bibas&Schachi

Date of Domain Name Registration:  April 3, 1996

Date Complaint Filed: May 5, 2000

Due Date for a Response: May 30, 2000  Respondent did submit a response.

Date of Commencement of Administrative Proceeding in Accordance with Rule 2(a)l and Rule 4(c)^{[1]: May 9, 2000}

Trademark or Service mark upon which this Complaint is based: Flightcom

Relief Requested by Complainant:   Transfer of the Domain Name to Complainant.

There was a supplemental submission by Complainant dated June 8, 2000 and a response thereto dated June 13, 2000. Both have been considered.

After reviewing the Complaint, and determining it to be in administrative compliance, the National Arbitration Forum (The Forum) forwarded the Complaint to the Respondent on May 9, 2000 in compliance with Rule 2(a), and the administrative proceeding was commenced pursuant to Rule 4(c). In compliance with Rule 4(d), The Forum immediately notified the above Registrar, Network Solutions, Inc., the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the Complainant that the administrative proceeding had commenced.

On April 3, 1996, Respondent registered the domain name "Flightcom.com” with Network Solutions, the entity that is the Registrar of the domain name. By registering its domain name with Network Solutions, Respondent agreed to resolve any dispute regarding its domain name through ICANN's Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, and the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy.

            The undersigned certifies that he has acted independently and has no known conflict of interest to serve as the Arbitrator in this proceeding. Having been duly selected, and being impartial, the undersigned makes the following findings and conclusions:

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Flightcom Corporation is the registered owner of the mark “Flightcom”. The date of first use of this mark was October 1988 and the registration date was April 27, 1993. Use of the mark on product and as a corporate name has been open and continuous since October 1988. The products include headsets, intercoms and related accessories in aviation applications. Flightcom is an Oregon corporation with a strong reputation in national and international markets.

2. Respondent is using a domain name that is identical to Flightcom’s registered mark. Respondent’s use of the disputed domain name has caused instances of confusion among Flightcom customers, dealers and distributors.

3. Respondent is the registered owner of the domain name Flightcom.com, which was registered to Respondent by Network Solutions on April 3, 1996. Immediately after registration of its domain name, Respondent commenced use of the domain name Flightcom.com on Respondent’s website in connection with Respondent’s travel agency business and used the domain name until it was put on hold in March 1997 in response to Complainant’s intervention with the Registrar.

4. Respondent selected its domain name because it was suggestive of travel services (FLIGHT) which are available on line (COM).

5. Respondent filed a business certificate July 25, 1997 with the clerk’s office of Nassau County, New York showing registration of Respondent doing business under the name Flightcom.

6. Respondent’s travel agency services are totally different from Complainant’s sale of aviation communication equipment.

7. Respondent states that it has continued to make preparation for enhancing and building its travel agency business at its website pending resolution of this dispute.

8. Respondent owns the French Trademark Registration No: 97665228 for Flightcom, for travel agency services. This was applied for after Respondent was notified by Complainant to cease use of the mark.

9. Respondent was not aware of Complainant or any one else with the Flightcom name at the time it registered the domain name and therefore such registration was not for the purpose of disrupting anyone’s business.

CONCLUSIONS

To obtain relief under paragraph 4(a)of the Policy, the Complainant must prove each of the following:

1. The domain name registered by the Respondent is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the Complainant has rights; and

2. The Respondent has no right or legitimate interest in the domain name; and

3. The domain name has been registered and used in bad faith.

Similarity Between Registrant’s Domain Name and Complainant’s Trade or Service Mark.

The domain name registered by Respondent is confusingly similar to or identical to the trademark owned by Complainant.  The addition of the generic domain name identifier “.com” and the deletion of the term “Corporation” does not avoid a likelihood of confusion. 

Respondent’s Rights or Legitimate Interest in the Domain Name.

        Under paragraph 4(c) of the Policy, evidence of a registrant’s rights or legitimate interest in the domain name includes:

1. Demonstrable preparations to use the domain name in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services prior to the dispute;

2. An indication that the registrant has been commonly known by the domain name even if it has acquired no trademark rights; or

3. Legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the domain name without intent to divert consumers or to tarnish the trademark.

            Respondent has proven its legitimate rights or interest in the domain name.

Respondent used the domain name before the dispute in connection with its business until it was put on hold.

Respondent’s Bad Faith Registration and Use of the Domain Name.

            Under paragraph 4(b) of the Policy, evidence of Respondent’s bad faith registration and use includes:

1. Circumstances indicating the domain name was registered for the purpose of resale to the trade or service mark owner or a competitor for profit;

2. A pattern of conduct showing an attempt to prevent others from obtaining domain names corresponding to their trademarks;

3. Registration of the domain name for the purpose of disrupting the business of a competitor; or

4. Using the domain name to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to Respondent’s web site or other on-line location by creating a likelihood of confusion with the trademark owner’s mark.  

Complainant has not proven that Respondent registered and used the domain name in bad faith. 

Under ICANN’s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy Complainant has not proven that the domain name should be transferred to Complainant.

DECISION

Based upon the above findings and conclusions, and pursuant to Rule 4(i), it is decided as follows:

COMPLAINANT’S REQUEST THAT THE DOMAIN NAME "Flightcom.com” BE TRANSFERRED IS DENIED.

Dated: June 15, 2000                                Honorable Karl V. Fink, Arbitrator