Playboy Enterprises International Inc. successfully secured the domain Playboy.ai through a UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) proceeding with The Forum. The domain, registered in November 2017, was claimed by Playboy due to trademark infringement concerns.
Background
Playboy asserted its trademark rights over the domain, which directly corresponds to its well-known “Playboy” brand established in 1954. In October 2024, Playboy approached the Chinese registrant via a broker to inquire about purchasing the domain. Receiving no response, Playboy initiated a UDRP case in November 2024. Shortly thereafter, the registrant countered, offering to sell the domain for 10 million Chinese yuan (~€1,334,000).
The registrant argued that the domain was intended for a project titled “Little Boy Playing,” which would use artificial intelligence to address children’s needs. Additionally, the registrant claimed “Playboy” was derived from the Chinese term for “playing boy” and defended the high price as a deterrent to potential buyers.
UDRP Proceedings
The case was overseen by New Zealand-based arbitrator David L. Kreider (The Forum Claim Number: FA2411002127176). Kreider ruled in favor of Playboy, citing:
1. Similarity to the Trademark: The domain Playboy.ai was deemed confusingly similar to Playboy’s trademark, satisfying the first UDRP element.
2. Lack of Legitimate Interest: The registrant failed to provide credible evidence of legitimate use for the domain, such as business plans, financial records, or relevant correspondence. The claim of a children-focused AI project was unsupported and inconsistent with the meaning of “Playboy.”
3. Bad Faith Registration: The domain was registered with the apparent intent of selling it to Playboy at an exorbitant price. The arbitrator noted that the registrant’s explanations lacked credibility, and the circumstances indicated bad faith.
Kreider concluded that the registrant’s actions deprived Playboy of using the domain for its brand while potentially benefiting competitors. The decision mandated the transfer of Playboy.ai to Playboy Enterprises.
Key Takeaways for Trademark Holders
This case underscores the importance of proactive domain strategies. Despite Playboy’s long-standing online presence since 1994, the company overlooked the rising significance of the .ai extension, which began gaining traction as a marker for artificial intelligence well before the domain’s registration in 2017.
Trademark holders should remain vigilant and secure relevant domains early, especially as new TLDs and ccTLDs gain popularity. Early action can prevent costly and time-consuming disputes like this one.
For legal assistance with domain-related issues, visit Domain-Anwalt.de, a project by united-domains GmbH.
News Source:RA Daniel Dingeldey，This article does not represent our position.
