Mayo Clinic wins porn domain name dispute – Domain Name Wire

Justice served?

Logo for Mayo Clinic has three overlapping blue shields

Mayo Foundation won rights to a domain name used for pornography.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, part of the famed Mayo Clinic, has won a complaint it filed against the domain name MayoPorno .com.

In the complaint filed with National Arbitration Forum, the organization claimed the domain was a case of “pornosquatting,” meaning using a well-known trademark to divert customers to a pornographic website for commercial purposes.

Panelist David Sorkin agreed that the domain name should be transferred to Mayo Foundation.

The domain name owner, who lives in Peru, did not respond to the dispute. It’s possible the person was not aware or did not understand the complaint, which was likely filed in English.

In undertaking limited research, I visited the domain in question, and I seriously doubt the domain owner was targeting the Mayo Clinic.

First, it seems like a very odd brand to target. Second, the capitalization on the logo was maYoPorno. Yo is one of the most common Spanish words, meaning I.

Nevertheless, Mayo Foundation will be the proud new owner of MayoPorno .com within 10 days, unless the domain owner disputes the decision in court.

 



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