The ICA hosted a webinar to discuss the Initial Report of the WIPO–ICA UDRP Review Project Team. The joint project between the two organizations aims to explore ways to strengthen the UDRP with incremental improvements.

The primary topics of discussion were related to the following:

• Registrar verification procedures
• Fee payment deadlines
• The potential for an appeals layer
• Challenges of implementing changes like a “loser pays” system

Domain investors frequently (and often rightfully) complain about UDRP abuse. I have covered numerous cases of Reverse Domain Name Hijacking and other attempts to use the UDRP as a means of acquiring a valuable domain name at a low cost. On the other hand, there are many more cases of blatant cybersquatting that are filed each day. It’s good to see these two organizations working together to improve the way the UDRP works.