Taiwan Domain Name Dispute Resolution

Resolution process for disputes over Taiwan domain names

Taiwan Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, which came into effect on December 4th, 2001, is specially formulated to resolve disputes between domain name holders and third parties concerning the domain name registration that come under the full extent of the Taiwan Network Information Center (TWNIC) and registrars.

The policy sets forth the terms and conditions that must be strictly followed by registrants. With the rapid increase of .tw domain name registrations, disputes arising from abusive registration are also increasing day by day. As per the Taiwan domain name dispute resolution, a complaint can be forwarded under any of these circumstances:

• When any entity knowingly uses another company’s brand name
• when a third party uses the domain name for commercial gain
• when an entity uses .tw domain names in bad faith

In order to provide dispute resolution services, TWNIC (the registry administrator) appoints a selected team of Dispute Resolution Providers, who are responsible for administering the arbitration proceedings. The rules of the procedure for settling disputes are prescribed by the registry administrator. To commence proceedings of a complaint against multiple domain name disputes, the dispute resolution providers assign a panel to hear the case submitted by the parties. The assigned panel can take a decision to consolidate all the disputes to which this policy can be applied.

On the request of the selected provider, all the information dealt with the registration of a domain name and its applications is provided by the registry administrator, but they will not take part in any proceedings. Any decision made by the panel regarding the disputes is informed to the registry administrator by the selected provider. During arbitration proceedings, the transfer and cancellation of a domain name cannot be made by the registrant.

The right to modify the Taiwan Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy is the exclusive right of the Taiwan Network Information Center.

Respondents or complainants attempting to gain a better understanding of Taiwan Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policies is considered essential. All the necessary details regarding Taiwan domain name dispute resolution is available at the official registry www.twnic.net.tw.