Century 21, a renowned real estate company that was founded in California in 1971, is known for its famous and distinctive CENTURY 21 mark.



The company recently attempted to reclaim the domain Centur21Norte.com through the UDRP process but was unsuccessful. The National Arbitration Forum panelist ruled in favor of the respondent, ordering the domain to remain with them.

So, why did Century 21 fail in its attempt to retrieve a domain that incorporated its trademark?

The answer lies in the terms under which the domain Century21Norte.com was registered back in 2006. The respondent, a real estate professional based in the Dominican Republic, had a professional agreement with Century 21 as part of their franchise. Although the agreement was unilaterally terminated in 2012, the respondent refused to relinquish the domain name in order to maintain access to the associated email address.

The sole panelist determined that since the domain was not registered in bad faith, the UDRP process was not suitable for this case, as it does not involve cybersquatting. Instead, it was advised that the complainant should pursue resolution of the matter through the appropriate judicial channels.

Overall, this case highlights the complexities of trademark infringement and domain disputes, illustrating the need for careful consideration of legal agreements and the potential implications of termination.