WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION
Bugatti International S.A. v. Ruanxiaojiao
Case No. D2017-2555
1. The Parties
Complainant is Bugatti International S.A. of Luxembourg, Luxemburg, represented by Kather Augenstein Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB, Germany.
Respondent is Ruanxiaojiao of Chongqing, China, self-represented.
2. The Domain Name and Registrar
The disputed domain name <bugatti.fun> is registered with Alibaba Cloud Computing Ltd. d/b/a HiChina (www.net.cn) (the “Registrar”).
3. Procedural History
Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the “Center”) on December 21, 2017. On December 21, 2017, the Center transmitted by email to the Registrar a request for registrar verification in connection with the disputed domain name. On December 22, 2017, the Registrar transmitted by email to the Center its verification response confirming that Respondent is listed as the registrant and providing the contact details. On January 3, 2018, the Center transmitted an Email in English and Chinese to the Parties regarding the language of the proceeding. Complainant requested that English be the language of the proceeding on January 4, 2018. Respondent did not comment on the language of the proceeding by the specified due date.
The Center verified that the Complaint satisfied the formal requirements of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Policy” or “UDRP”), the Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Rules”), and the WIPO Supplemental Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the “Supplemental Rules”).
In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2 and 4, the Center formally notified Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on January 11, 2018. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5, the due date for Response was January 31, 2018. Respondent sent an informal email in English to the Center regarding the dispute on January 8, 2018. The Response was filed with the Center on January 9, 2018.
The Center appointed Yijun Tian as the sole panelist in this matter on February 19, 2018. The Panel finds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the Rules, paragraph 7.
4. Factual Background
A. Complainant
Complainant, Bugatti International S.A., is a company with its principal office in Luxemburg. Complainant is a company that operates as a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and administers the BUGATTI trademarks. The Bugatti super sports cars are well-known as Bugatti’s innovations are setting the benchmarks in automotive engineering and world records.
Complainant has registered a large number of national and International trademarks reflecting the term “bugatti”, including trademark registrations in China (since December 7, 2009, the Chinese trademark registration number 5773213), and trademark registrations in Germany (since February 27, 1986, the German trademark registration number 1088486) (Annex 4 to the Complaint).
B. Respondent
Respondent is Ruanxiaojiao, an individual residing in Chongqing, China. Respondent registered the disputed domain name <bugatti.fun> on October 31, 2017, which is long after Complainant’s registration of the BUGATTI trademarks in Germany (since 1986), and in China (since 2009). The disputed domain name directed to a website which is currently inactive.
5. Parties’ Contentions
A. Complainant
Complainant contends that the disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to the BUGATTI marks.
Complainant contends that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain name.
Complainant contends that the disputed domain name was registered and is being used in bad faith.
Complainant requests that the disputed domain name <bugatti.fun> be transferred to it.
B. Respondent
Respondent sent an informal email and a Response to the Center regarding the dispute on January 8, 2018 and January 9, 2018. Respondent contends that:
“.fun” domain name has undergone 6 months from the priority of registration to open registration – from April 8, 2017 to November 31, 2017.
Respondent, as a domain name holder, has not sent the mail to Complainant for selling the disputed domain name <bugatti.fun>.
There are other companies holding the BUGATTI trademark also.
6. Discussion and Findings
6.1. Language of the Proceeding
The language of the registration agreement for the disputed domain name is Chinese. Pursuant to the Rules, paragraph 11, in the absence of an agreement between the parties, or specified otherwise in the registration agreement, the language of the administrative proceeding shall be the language of the registration agreement. From the evidence presented on the record, no agreement appears to have been entered into between Complainant and Respondent to the effect that the language of the proceeding should be English. Complainant filed initially its Complaint in English, and has requested that English be the language of the proceeding for the following reasons:
a) Complainant submits the Registration Agreement as provided by the Registrar in English (Annex A to the Complaint);
b) The disputed domain name consists of the word of European origin “Bugatti” and the Top-Level Domain “.fun” with the English word “fun” meaning “amusing”, “merry” etc. Both words have no connection whatsoever to any Chinese language. Respondent must have been aware of the meaning of the words and thus understand English;
c) The disputed domain name is registered in Latin characters, and not in any Chinese script, again underlining Respondents capability to communicate in English;
d) Complainant is convinced that Respondent “ruanxiaojiao” does not exist as a validly incorporated entity as there is no record or track of such company. The decisive legal person for the administrative proceedings is the Admin Organization provided by the WhoIs database, the Nexperian Holding Limited whose name is in Latin letters rather than Chinese and contains three English words;
e) Respondent and Nexperian Holding Limited also registered the domain name <hugoboss.fun> (Annex B to the Complaint). The screenshot of this website resolves to a holding page with both English and Chinese texts: “Welcome to hugoboss.fun! the domain is for sale” (Annex C to the Complaint);
f) Complainant kindly requests the Panel to exercise its discretion and allow the proceeding to be conducted in English. On an auxiliary basis in case the Panel decides not to grant the above request, Complainant agrees to execute the proceeding in both English and Chinese, so that Respondent may file its response in Chinese and that the Complaint does not have to be translated.
Respondent did not make any submissions with respect to the language of the proceeding and did not object to the use of English as the language of the proceeding.
Paragraph 11(a) of the Rules allows the Panel to determine the language of the proceeding having regard to all the circumstances. In particular, it is established practice to take paragraphs 10(b) and (c) of the Rules into consideration for the purpose of determining the language of the proceeding. In other words, it is important to ensure fairness to the parties and the maintenance of an inexpensive and expeditious avenue for resolving domain name disputes. (Whirlpool Corporation, Whirlpool Properties, Inc. v. Hui’erpu (HK) electrical appliance co. ltd.,
WIPO Case No. D2008-0293; Solvay S.A. v. Hyun-Jun Shin,
WIPO Case No. D2006-0593). The language finally decided by the panel for the proceeding should not be prejudicial to either one of the parties in his or her abilities to articulate the arguments for the case. (Groupe Auchan v. xmxzl,
WIPO Case No. DCC2006-0004). WIPO Overview of WIPO Panel Views on Selected UDRP Questions, Third Edition (“WIPO Overview 3.0”) further states:
“Noting the aim of conducting the proceedings with due expedition, paragraph 10 of the UDRP Rules vests a panel with authority to conduct the proceedings in a manner it considers appropriate while also ensuring both that the parties are treated with equality, and that each party is given a fair opportunity to present its case.
Against this background, panels have found that certain scenarios may warrant proceeding in a language other than that of the registration agreement. Such scenarios include (i) evidence showing that the respondent can understand the language of the complaint, (ii) the language/script of the domain name particularly where the same as that of the complainant’s mark, (iii) any content on the webpage under the disputed domain name, (iv) prior cases involving the respondent in a particular language, (v) prior correspondence between the parties, (vi) potential unfairness or unwarranted delay in ordering the complainant to translate the complaint, (vii) evidence of other respondent-controlled domain names registered, used, or corresponding to a particular language, (viii) in cases involving multiple domain names, the use of a particular language agreement for some (but not all) of the disputed domain names, (ix) currencies accepted on the webpage under the disputed domain name, or (x) other indicia tending to show that it would not be unfair to proceed in a language other than that of the registration agreement.”
(WIPO Overview 3.0, section 4.5.1; see also L’Oreal S.A. v. MUNHYUNJA,
WIPO Case No. D2003-0585).
The Panel has taken into consideration the facts that Complainant is a company from Germany, and Complainant will be spared the burden of working in Chinese as the language of the proceeding. The Panel has also taken into consideration the fact that the disputed domain name includes Latin characters (“bugatti”) and is registered in the generic Top-Level Domain (“gTLD”) space comprising of the Latin characters and English word “.fun” (Compagnie Gervais Danone v. Xiaole Zhang,
WIPO Case No. D2008-1047).
On the record, Respondent appears to be a Chinese individual and is thus presumably not a native English speaker, but the Panel finds that persuasive evidence in the present proceeding to suggest that Respondent may have sufficient knowledge of English. In particular, the Panel notes that, based on the evidence provided by Complainant, (a) the disputed domain name includes Latin characters “bugatti” rather than Chinese script; (b) the gTLD of the disputed domain name is “.fun” is in Latin characters, and it is an English word; (c) Respondent sent an informal email to the Center regarding the dispute on January 8, 2018, and the email was written in English; (d) the Center has notified Respondent of the proceeding in both Chinese and English; (e) the Center informed Respondent that it would accept a Response in either English or Chinese.
Considering these circumstances, the Panel finds the choice of English as the language of the present proceeding is fair to both Parties and is not prejudicial to either one of the Parties in his or her ability to articulate the arguments for this case. Having considered all the matters above, the Panel determines under paragraph 11(a) of the Rules that English shall be the language of the proceeding, and the decision will be rendered in English.
6.2. Substantive Issues
Paragraph 4(a) of the Policy requires that Complainant prove each of the following three elements to obtain an order that the disputed domain name should be transferred:
(i) The disputed domain name registered by Respondent is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which Complainant has rights;
(ii) Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain name; and
(iii) The disputed domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith.
On the basis of the evidence introduced by Complainant and in particular with regards to the content of the relevant provisions of the Policy (paragraphs 4(a) - (c)), the Panel concludes as follows:
A. Identical or Confusingly Similar
The Panel finds that Complainant has rights in the BUGATTI mark acquired through registration. The BUGATTI mark has been registered in jurisdictions throughout the world including in Germany and China (see Annex 4 to the Complaint), and Complainant has a widespread reputation in sports cars industry in the world.
The disputed domain name <bugatti.fun> comprises the BUGATTI mark in its entirety. The disputed domain name only differs from Complainant’s trademarks by the gTLD suffix “.fun” to the BUGATTI marks. This does not eliminate the identity between Complainant’s registered trademarks and the disputed domain name. In relation to the gTLD suffix, WIPO Overview 3.0 further states:
“The applicable Top Level Domain (‘TLD’) in a domain name (e.g., ‘.com’, ‘.club’, ‘.nyc’) is viewed as a standard registration requirement and as such is disregarded under the first element confusing similarity test.” (WIPO Overview 3.0, section 1.11).
Thus, the Panel finds that disregarding the gTLD suffix “.fun”, the disputed domain name is identical to the BUGATTI marks.
The Panel therefore holds that the Complaint fulfils the first condition of paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.
B. Rights or Legitimate Interests
Paragraph 4(c) of the Policy provides a list of circumstances any of which is sufficient to demonstrate that Respondent has rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name:
(i) before any notice to Respondent of the dispute, the use by Respondent of, or demonstrable preparations to use, the disputed domain name or a name corresponding to the disputed domain name in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services; or
(ii) Respondent has been commonly known by the disputed domain names, even if Respondent has acquired no trademark or service mark rights; or
(iii) Respondent is making a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the disputed domain names, without intent for commercial gain to misleadingly divert consumers or to tarnish Complainant’s trademarks.
The overall burden of proof on this element rests with Complainant. However, it is well established by previous UDRP panel decisions that once a complainant establishes a prima facie case that a respondent lacks rights or legitimate interests in a domain name, the burden of production shifts to the respondent to rebut the complainant’s contentions. If the respondent fails to do so, a complainant is deemed to have satisfied paragraph 4(a)(ii) of the Policy. (Danzas Holding AG, DHL Operations B.V. v. Ma Shikai,
WIPO Case No. D2008-0441; WIPO Overview 3.0, section 2.1 and cases cited therein).
According to the Complaint, Complainant is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG – one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world. The Bugatti super sports cars are well-known as Bugatti’s innovations are setting the benchmarks in automotive engineering and world records (e.g., for acceleration from a standstill to 400 kilometers per hour and braking to a standstill). Complainant has rights in the BUGATTI marks since 1986 in Germany and 2009 in China, which long precede Respondent’s registration of the disputed domain name (2017).
Moreover, Respondent is not an authorized dealer of Bugatti-branded products or services. The Panel finds that Complainant has established a prima facie case that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name and thereby shifts the burden to Respondent to produce evidence to rebut this presumption. (The Argento Wine Company Limited v. Argento Beijing Trading Company,WIPOCase No. D2009-0610; Do The Hustle, LLC v. Tropic Web,
WIPO Case No. D2000-0624; Croatia Airlines d.d. v. Modern Empire Internet Ltd.,
WIPO Case No. D2003-0455).
Based on the following reasons the Panel finds that Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name:
a) There has been no evidence adduced to show that Respondent is using the disputed domain name in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services. Respondent has not provided evidence of a legitimate use of the disputed domain name or reasons to justify the choice of the term “bugatti” in the disputed domain name and in its business operation. There has been no evidence to show that Complainant has licensed or otherwise permitted Respondent to use the BUGATTI marks or to apply for or use any domain name incorporating the BUGATTI mark;
b) There has been no evidence adduced to show that Respondent has been commonly known by the disputed domain name. There has been no evidence adduced to show that Respondent has any registered trademark rights with respect to the disputed domain name. Respondent registered the disputed domain name in 2017, long after the BUGATTI marks became internationally known. The disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to Complainant’s BUGATTI marks;
c) There has been no evidence adduced to show that Respondent is making a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the disputed domain name. The website resolved by the disputed domain name is currently inactive.
The Panel finds that Respondent has failed to produce any evidence to rebut Complainant’s prima facie showing on Respondent lack of rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain name. The Panel therefore holds that the Complaint fulfils the second condition of paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.
C. Registered and Used in Bad Faith
Paragraph 4(b) of the Policy sets out four circumstances which, without limitation, shall be evidence of the registration and use of the disputed domain name in bad faith, namely:
(i) circumstances indicating that Respondent has registered or acquired the disputed domain name primarily for the purpose of selling, renting, or otherwise transferring the domain name registration to Complainant who is the owner of the trademark or service mark or to a competitor of Complainant, for valuable consideration in excess of Respondent’s documented out-of-pocket costs directly related to the disputed domain name; or
(ii) Respondent has registered the disputed domain name in order to prevent the owner of the trademark or service mark from reflecting the mark in a corresponding domain name, provided that Respondent has engaged in a pattern of such conduct; or
(iii) Respondent has registered the disputed domain name primarily for the purpose of disrupting the business of a competitor; or
(iv) by using the disputed domain name, Respondent has intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to Respondent’s website or other online location, by creating a likelihood of confusion with Complainant’s mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of Respondent’s website or location or of a product or service on the website or location.
The Panel concludes for reasons discussed below that Respondent has registered and used the disputed domain name in bad faith.
(i) Registered in Bad Faith
The Panel finds that Complainant has a widespread reputation in the BUGATTI mark with regard to its products. Complainant has registered its BUGATTI mark internationally, including registration in Germany (since 1986) and China (since 2009). It is not conceivable that Respondent would not have had actual notice of Complainant’s trademark rights at the time of the registration of the disputed domain name (in 2017). The Panel therefore finds that the BUGATTI mark is not one that traders could legitimately adopt other than for the purpose of creating an impression of an association with Complainant. The Argento Wine Company Limited v. Argento Beijing Trading Company, supra.
Thus, the Panel concludes that the disputed domain name was registered in bad faith.
(ii) Used in Bad Faith
The disputed domain name <bugatti.fun> is currently inactive. In terms of inactive domain name, the WIPO Overview 3.0 provides: “From the inception of the UDRP, panelists have found that the non-use of a domain name (including a blank or ‘coming soon’ page) would not prevent a finding of bad faith under the doctrine of passive holding.” (Section 3.3, WIPO Overview 3.0).
The WIPO Overview 3.0 further states:
“While panelists will look at the totality of the circumstances in each case, factors that have been considered relevant in applying the passive holding doctrine include: (i) the degree of distinctiveness or reputation of the complainant’s mark, (ii) the failure of the respondent to submit a response or to provide any evidence of actual or contemplated good-faith use, (iii) the respondent’s concealing its identity or use of false contact details (noted to be in breach of its registration agreement), and (iv) the implausibility of any good faith use to which the domain name may be put.”
As discussed above, Complainant’s BUGATTI marks, arguably, are widely known. Taking into account all the circumstances of this case, the Panel concludes that the current inactive use of the disputed domain name by Respondent is in bad faith also.
In summary, Respondent, by choosing to register and use a domain name, which is confusingly similar to Complainant’s well-known trademarks, intended to disrupt Complainant’s business. In the absence of evidence to the contrary and rebuttal from Respondent, the choice of the disputed domain name and the conduct of Respondent are indicative of registration and use of the disputed domain name in bad faith.
The Panel therefore holds that the Complaint fulfils the third condition of paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.
7. Decision
For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the disputed domain name <bugatti.fun> be transferred to Complainant.
Yijun Tian
Sole Panelist
Dated: March 16, 2018
