NAF News Releases

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., September 22, 2005

National Arbitration Forum Issues Decision on Jaclyn Smith Web Address

A National Arbitration Forum arbitrator rules in favor of Jaclyn Smith and Jaclyn Smith International, Inc., regarding the Internet domain name jaclynsmithhome.com

The National Arbitration Forum announced today that a ruling has been issued in favor of actress Jaclyn Smith, best known as a member of the original Charlie’s Angels television show, and Jaclyn Smith International, Inc., a designer of clothing and domestic products, regarding rights to the Internet domain name jaclynsmithhome.com.

Jaclyn Smith and Jaclyn Smith International, Inc., represented by Stephen J. Strauss of Fulwider Patton LLP, filed a complaint with the National Arbitration Forum on July 22, 2005 against Unasi, Inc. of Panama, asserting legal rights to the Web address jaclynsmithhome.com. The disputed domain name resolves to a website featuring links to third-party commercial websites that directly compete with Jaclyn Smith and Jaclyn Smith International, Inc.’s business.

Having received no response to the complaint from Unasi, a National Arbitration Forum arbitrator ruled in favor of Jaclyn Smith and Jaclyn Smith International, Inc. The Jaclyn Smith trademark has registrations with United States Patent and Trademark Office dating back to 1986. Unasi registered the domain name jaclynsmithhome.com on January 11, 2005.

The arbitrator found that Unasi did not have legitimate rights to, or interest in, the disputed Web address, and that the Web address was confusingly similar to Jaclyn Smith’s trademark. The arbitrator also found that Unasi was using the address in bad faith by presumably profiting from “click-through” fees for diverting Internet users to third-party commercial websites.

Jaclyn Smith and Jaclyn Smith International, Inc.’s Internet domain dispute is one of thousands heard each year by the National Arbitration Forum. The domain name dispute process is a popular alternative to lengthy and expensive trademark lawsuits.

A copy of the decision, Jaclyn Smith and Jaclyn Smith International, Inc. v. Unasi, Inc., is available for viewing on the National Arbitration Forum Web site at: http://www.arb-forum.com/domains/decisions/522853.htm.

Source: http://www.arb-forum.com/resources/news/index.asp?id=61