With the increasing importance of online presence, securing your domain name is as crucial as protecting your trademark. In Turkey, domain name disputes can arise when a third party improperly registers a domain similar to your brand or trademark. Fortunately, Turkish law provides mechanisms to address such conflicts through UÇHS (Internet Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centers) and TRABIS (the Domain Name Registration and Management System).

1. What Causes Domain Name Disputes? Domain name disputes typically occur when someone registers a domain that is identical or confusingly similar to an existing trademark or business name. This is often referred to as “cybersquatting.” These disputes can harm your brand, divert traffic from your website, and cause confusion among customers.
2. Resolving Domain Disputes Through UÇHS Turkey’s Internet Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centers (UÇHS) provide a streamlined process for resolving domain name disputes. If you believe your rights to a domain have been violated, you can file a complaint with an UÇHS. These centers follow a simplified, arbitration-like procedure to determine whether the domain registration should be canceled or transferred to the rightful owner.
3. The Role of TRABIS TRABIS, Turkey’s Domain Name Registration and Management System, plays a key role in managing the “.tr” domains. Since the launch of TRABIS, the process for registering and disputing “.tr” domain names has become more transparent. TRABIS also provides additional mechanisms for domain protection, such as locking domains to prevent unauthorized transfers.
4. Filing a Complaint To initiate a domain dispute, you’ll need to submit a formal complaint to an UÇHS, providing evidence that the domain is infringing on your rights. The UÇHS will evaluate factors such as the similarity between the domain and your trademark, whether the domain was registered in bad faith, and the legitimate use of the domain by the registrant.
5. Legal Recourse If the UÇHS process does not resolve the dispute, or if you prefer to take the matter to court, Turkish law allows trademark holders to file lawsuits to reclaim domain names or seek damages. This is especially useful if the infringing domain has caused significant financial or reputational harm.

Protecting your domain name is vital to maintaining your online presence. If you’re dealing with a domain name dispute, our firm can guide you through the UÇHS process or take legal action to defend your rights.