A recent ruling by a three-member panel has upheld the finding of reverse domain name hijacking against PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. The bank had filed a cybersquatting complaint regarding the domains pnc.co.uk and pnc.uk, claiming that Gordon Tees was wrongfully using these names.
Tees, who has provided IT services under the initials PNC since 1992, countered that he established his business before PNC Bank registered any trade marks or companies in the UK. Initially a co-founder of Premier Networks Consulting Limited, Tees later sold his stake and formed a new IT service company named Pretty Nice Chaps Limited.
PNC Bank did not set up any UK company until 2010 and secured its first UK trademark only in 2021. After failing to negotiate a purchase of the domains, the bank initiated the dispute.
The dispute resolution policy allows a complainant to demonstrate that a domain was either registered or used in bad faith. However, the evidence showed that Tees had legitimate use of the domains, and the initial panel ruled that they were not acquired in bad faith. The findings revealed that PNC Bank had failed to recognize Tees’ established business before making their claim, leading to the conclusion of reverse domain name hijacking.
Following the bank’s appeal, the three-member panel reiterated the original decision, affirming that PNC Bank had no reasonable grounds for its complaint, thereby confirming the decision against them.
Welcome to DediRock, your trusted partner in high-performance hosting solutions. At DediRock, we specialize in providing dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and cloud services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses and individuals alike. Our mission is to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure hosting solutions that empower our clients to achieve their digital goals. With a commitment to exceptional customer support, cutting-edge technology, and robust infrastructure, DediRock stands out as a leader in the hosting industry. Join us and experience the difference that dedicated service and unwavering reliability can make for your online presence. Launch our website.