Rare UDRP Case Involving a Three-Pinyin Chinese Domain: Quzaobao.com Transferred to Singapore Press Holdings

Recently, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center announced a highly rare UDRP case (D2024-5142) concerning the domain Quzaobao.com, which was ruled to be transferred to the complainant, SPH Media Limited. This decision has drawn significant attention from the domain industry, as three-pinyin Chinese domain names are generally difficult to claim under UDRP due to their multiple possible meanings, yet this case proved to be an exception.

According to case details, the complainant, Singapore Press Holdings (now Cuscaden Peak Investments), was a well-known media and real estate company in Singapore. Its media business was later spun off into SPH Media Trust, which manages several publications, including Lianhe Zaobao. Following the ruling, Quzaobao.com is now redirecting to the Lianhe Zaobao official website, confirming its ownership transfer to the complainant.

A Rare UDRP Decision on a Three-Pinyin Chinese Domain

The Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) is typically used for trademark protection, but cases involving three-pinyin Chinese domains present unique challenges for complainants, including:

1. Polysemy in Pinyin – Chinese pinyin combinations often carry multiple meanings, making it difficult to establish exclusive rights.

2. Generic Term Issues – Many three-pinyin domains correspond to generic words or phrases, reducing the likelihood of trademark confusion.

3. Challenges in Proving Bad Faith – If the domain owner is not clearly exploiting a brand’s reputation for profit, proving bad faith registration and use can be difficult.

However, in Quzaobao.com, WIPO’s panel ultimately ruled in favor of the complainant. While full case details have not been disclosed, industry experts speculate that the complainant likely provided strong evidence demonstrating:

• “Quzaobao” is highly recognizable as the pinyin for Lianhe Zaobao, creating a high risk of confusion among the public.

• The registrant may have engaged in bad faith registration and use, such as redirection, parked ads, or other misleading practices.

Industry Impact and Key Takeaways for Domain Investors

This ruling serves as a warning sign for domain investors, especially those dealing with pinyin domains that could be associated with well-known brands or media outlets. Key lessons from this case include:

• Avoid registering pinyin domains that could easily be confused with existing trademarks, especially well-known industry names.

• If holding such a domain, ensure it is used in a way that does not risk trademark disputes, such as misleading redirects or ad parking.

• This case suggests that three-pinyin Chinese domains could face increased UDRP challenges in the future, as companies become more proactive in protecting their brands online.

The Quzaobao.com ruling highlights that even three-pinyin Chinese domains can be transferred through UDRP disputes, setting a potential precedent for future claims by trademark holders.