How to submit a response

There are three communication steps in the dispute resolution process: a complaint, a response, and a reply. You are on the response page.

You are here because a complaint has been made against a domain name that you are the registrant for, and you have been invited to respond. Submitting a response is your opportunity to address matters raised in a dispute. 

Before submitting a response

You must submit your response within fifteen (15) working days from the date of the complaint. The deadline for your response is provided in the correspondence sent to you with the complaint. 

Your response must be submitted via our online form.

You don’t have to submit a response. However, if you do not, we may refer the dispute over the registration of your domain name to an Expert for determination. The Expert will decide using only the information provided by the applicant in the dispute. If you feel that your registration of the domain name is correct or fair, provide a response when you’re asked to. You won’t get another chance to submit a response.

Gather supporting evidence for the Expert who will determine the outcome of the dispute using the information and documents you and the complainant provide. You need to show that you have, for example:

• made legitimate non-commercial or fair use of the domain name
• been commonly known by the name or legitimately connected with a mark which is identical or similar to the domain name
• used or made demonstrable preparations to use the domain name or a domain name which is similar to the domain name for a genuine offering of goods or services. 

Write your argument, which can be up to 2,000 words. We recommend you write your argument first in a Word document or another text editor, and save it. You cannot save your response as you go - you need to complete your response in one session. 

Gather supporting documents, such as:

• letterhead and advertising material showing your use of the name
• birth or marriage certificates for personal names
• trademarks or designs registered with the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand or the Companies Offices.

Review our Dispute Resolution Service Policy which has information on other items to discuss (see paragraph 6). It also gives definitions of terms such as ‘rights in a name" and ‘unfair registration’. Dispute Resolution Service Policy.

Access these free resources: 

• Database of all previous Expert Decisions
• List of selected Case Summaries of Expert Decisions

Ready to submit your response? Click here

Submitting a response

The Expert will only be provided with the information that you submit. We encourage parties to submit as much evidence as they can to support what they detail in their response.

Submit your response via our online form.

After submitting a response

Once we receive your response we send a copy to the complainant, who has five (5) working days to submit a reply. The complainant does not have to submit a reply. If they do submit a reply, we will send you a copy. 

The dispute will then proceed to Expert Determination. The Expert receives copies of all correspondence sent during the process.

The Expert has ten (10) working days to issue their decision.

Ready to submit your response? Click here