In a recent case of attempted reverse domain name hijacking, a French food supplements company, Nutriforce France SAS, made an unsuccessful bid to acquire the domain name nutriforce.com. The company, which had registered nutriforce.fr for its business in 2023, initiated the dispute process before the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The domain nutriforce.com was obtained through an expired domain auction in 2020 by SyncPoint, Inc., a domain investment firm, for $5,050. The dispute arose when Nutriforce France SAS offered a mere $80 to purchase the domain in December 2024. SyncPoint’s response, suggesting that they could donate the domain instead, led to a breakdown in negotiations.

However, the WIPO panelist overseeing the case, Adam Taylor, ruled in favor of SyncPoint. The panelist concluded that Nutriforce France SAS’s actions constituted a “Plan B” reverse domain name hijacking attempt. This term refers to situations where a complainant fails to establish legal rights to a domain name but still files a complaint without a valid basis, ignoring established policy precedent.

The key issue in this case was the timeline of events. Nutriforce France SAS failed to demonstrate any trademark rights in the name before SyncPoint acquired the domain, rendering the complaint baseless. The complainant’s lack of evidence regarding the commencement of its trading activities further weakened its position.

The failed attempt at domain name hijacking highlights the importance of establishing legitimate rights before pursuing a domain dispute. In this instance, Nutriforce France SAS’s actions were deemed unreasonable and in violation of established policies. Despite internal representation by both parties, the outcome favored SyncPoint due to the lack of a valid legal basis for the complaint.

The case serves as a cautionary tale for companies seeking to acquire domain names through questionable means. It underscores the significance of adhering to domain name regulations and ensuring that proper legal grounds exist before engaging in disputes over domain ownership. Ultimately, the WIPO ruling reaffirms the importance of upholding fair practices in the management of domain names within the digital landscape.