Sometimes, even hot shot corporate lawyers should have their common sense questioned.
Michelin North America, the automotive tire manufacturing giant, took a stab at the domain MichelinaOliveOil.com, asserting that it infringes on the famous Michelin mark.
The UDRP, filed at the WIPO actually states that “the disputed domain name <michelinaoliveoil.com> is confusingly similar to its MICHELIN mark, appending the generic words “a”, “olive”, and “oil” thereto, presumably to associate the domain name with Complainant’s business of restaurant ratings.”
This is as silly as it gets.
The domain MichelinaOliveOil.com clearly makes a reference to Italian olive oil, using the name of an Italian woman. If anything else, the brand closest to this type of regional food that *might* have a claim to this domain, would be Michelina’s.
And the best part is that the respondent did not file a response, but still retains the domain, as the sole panelist, David E. Sorkin, found no evidence of any infringement in this case.
Capisce?
For the full UDRP case text, click here.
