By Steve Levy
As you know, the UDRP has been the go-to system for resolving cybersquatting disputes since 1999. But after 25 years and over 125,000 cases, it seems like a good idea to take a deep dive and find out what’s working well and what parts of the UDRP process could use a few tweaks. This effort was started a few years ago in a series of proposals by a group of four experienced UDRP participants from diverse backgrounds and has been carried forward in a new report from the World Intellectual Property Association (WIPO) and the Internet Commerce Association (ICA), released in April 2025.
Who’s Behind It?
The WIPO and the ICA pulled together a team of 16 seasoned UDRP experts—think lawyers, panelists, registrants, and brand owners. They also consulted with 28 subject matter specialists from across the domain name ecosystem, including me.
What’s in the Report?
The report doesn’t propose sweeping changes (yet), but it does lay the groundwork for future reform. Here’s what it covers:
- Efficiency & Fairness: How well does the current system balance the rights of trademark owners and domain registrants?
- Procedural Tweaks: Topics like enhanced notification to Respondents, supplemental filings, appeals, mediation, and expedited procedures were all on the table.
- Consensus Mapping: Each issue was tagged as either having “Unanimous Support” or “Consensus Achievable with Further Exploration.” Translation: some ideas should be ready to roll while others will need more study and debate.
Why It Matters
This is the first systematic review of the UDRP since its inception. And it’s not just academic—ICANN members will almost certainly review this report once Phase 2 of the Review of Rights Protection Mechanisms gets under way. That review could reshape how domain disputes are handled for decades to come although it has been delayed for quite some time and when it might get under way is anybody’s guess. Hopefully, some of the high-consensus, low hanging fruit of the WIPO/ICA report can be implemented sooner while the more contentious proposals are put into a separate track for more extended discussion and possible later implementation.
Your Voice Counts
Whether you’re a brand owner, domain investor, lawyer, or just a curious netizen, your participation in this process could help shape the future of domain name dispute resolution.
So, if you’ve got thoughts on cybersquatting, domain rights, or just love a good policy debate, please stay tuned to developments in this important facet of ICANN activity and join in the discussion as the opportunities arise.