Prince.com
UK IT consultant registered prince.com. US sports manufacturer both traded without conflict for years in different markets in different trades under the trade mark 'prince'. US company sought to rely on registry's dispute policy to 'take back' the domain name. UK company accordingly has to bring court proceedings to defend its ownership. Demand letter sent by US company to UK company UK company argued the letter constituted an unlawful threat under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
Held:
ownership of prince.com domain name by UK company affirmed yet court makes no general ruling on rights of domain name