A recent case reviewed by a Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution (UDRP) panel has highlighted a potential instance of reverse domain name hijacking involving Printfly Corporation, a t-shirt printing business. The company attempted to claim two domain names, rushordertees.co and rushtees.com, which are owned by a competitor, asserting that they were cybersquatted.

Although Printfly holds a trademark for “Rush Order Tees,” this trademark was filed after both domains had already been registered. The panel concluded that the term itself is descriptive and frequently used within the t-shirt printing industry.

Importantly, the panel decided that Printfly failed to demonstrate that the domains were registered in bad faith, nor did they prove that the registrant lacked a legitimate interest in them. In 2017, Printfly made an effort to purchase the rushordertees.co domain but was not willing to meet the seller’s asking price, indicating that the subsequent UDRP filing might have been a fallback strategy after failing to negotiate a purchase.

The case has been classified as a form of "Plan B" reverse domain name hijacking, where a company resorts to filing a cybersquatting claim after an unsuccessful attempt to acquire a desired domain name through negotiation. Printfly was represented by Sophie Edbrooke from Gerben Perrott, while Jason Schaeffer of ESQwire.com, P.C. defended the domain name owner’s interests.

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.