Domain Name Dispute Resolution

Online Dispute Resolution:

The Domain Name Commission is piloting Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) to provide a digital pathway to support people to mediate online and where possible settle disputes without going to expert determination or court. 

If online mediation is unsuccessful, the expert determination process is available at a fee of $2000.00 + GST.  However, we strongly recommend parties take up the benefit of this free ODR mediation service, or negotiate directly with the registrant of the domain name.

The type of domain name disputes that this service is designed to handle is about the ownership of a domain name. If you believe that someone else has a domain name and that you should be the registrant, then this is the service for you. 

Here are some common examples of domain name disputes:

• A newly established business has set up a website providing the same services as you, and their domain name is virtually the same as yours. You believe you are now losing business and customers.
• You failed to re-register your domain name, and now a competitor has it. You’d like to get it back.
• You purchased a business and understood the domain name was part of the agreement, however, this did not transfer to you.
• Your business partnership has fallen apart and you now cannot access your emails as the other person is the Registrant of the domain name.