Submit a dispute

How to submit a dispute

Fill out this form to submit a dispute or complaint about the registration of a .nz domain name.

 

Before you start the form, review information and plan your complaint.

Read our Dispute Resolution Service Policy


You may decide you do not need to submit a dispute or complaint. If you decide to go ahead, now is a good time to get legal advice if you want it. 

To help decide what information to include in your dispute or complaint, view the following searchable list of past decisions.

Search legal decisions

 

Support your arguments with as much evidence as possible, especially documents and records. 

 

The form takes some time to complete, and you need to print and sign it.

  • You may need 10 to 15 minutes to complete this form.
  • You must complete the entire form in one session. You cannot save the form. If you make a mistake or wish to change your response, use the Back button.
  • If you are unable to upload any information, this can be emailed to [email protected]
  • When you get access to a printer, print the email version, sign it, and email it to us at: [email protected]

 

We can answer your questions about this form

For help with this form, email us at: [email protected]

 

Your details
If you are making a dispute on behalf of an organisation, enter the full legal name of the organisation. You can make a dispute for any kind of organisation, for example, a company or incorporated society.
Type the first name of the person who is to be the main contact for this dispute. If this dispute is being made by more than one person, please include the other people's names in the body of the dispute.
Type the last name of the person who is to be the main contact for this dispute. If this dispute is being made by more than one person, then please include the other people's names in the body of the dispute.
Type the address where you want us to send mailed correspondence.
The city part of your postal address. If your city requires a postcode, please include that here.
Type your country
The current registrant’s email.
The current registrant’s phone. Please include the area code. If this number outside of New Zealand, include the country code.

Appointing a representative

Appointing a representative

You may appoint a representative to deal with your case. To do this, select ‘Yes’ below and enter the representative’s information. The Domain Name Commission will then contact your representative about this process.

Are you appointing a representative? Required
If your representative is part of a larger organisation, please enter the name of the organisation.
Your representative's first name.
Your representative's last name.
Type the address where you want us to send mailed correspondence to your representative.
As part of the postal address. If your representative's city requires a postcode, please include that here.
Most disputes are sent to us from New Zealand. This process is also available to complainants and representatives from other countries.
Your representative’s email address.
No particular format for telephone numbers is required. Please include the area code.
Disputed .nz domain name
The main .nz domain name you are making a dispute about.
Do you have more .nz domain names to make a dispute about? Required
List all the other .nz domain names you wish to dispute. Enter each new domain name on a new line. Note that all domain names must be registered to the same registrant. You can only include domain names which end in .nz.
Registrant details

 

Please enter the registrant details of the disputed domain name. You must include the registrant contact name below. Any questions? Email us at [email protected].

The domain name may currently be registered in the name of an organisation, rather than an individual. If so, please enter the name of the organisation.
The current registrant's first name.
The current registrant's last name.
Type the registrant's address.
As part of the postal address. If the current registrant's city requires a postcode, please include that here.
We expect that many of the disputes handled by this process will be generated from within New Zealand, and have set the default to reflect this, however, the process is available to complainants when the current registrant is from another country.
Type the email address of the registrant.
Type the registrant's phone. No particular format for telephone numbers is required. Please include the area code.
Trademark details

Enter the words, phrases, or trademarks that are similar or identical to the domain name(s) under dispute.

If you have a trademark in this name, you should enter the trade mark number(s) here. If you do not have a trademark in the name you assert rights to, but are relying on evidence of use of a business or personal name or mark, you should tell us which one.
State your argument about the domain names

Enter a clear argument about why you have rights to the domain name(s). This argument can be up to 2000 words. 

 

We recommend that you:

  • review our DRS Policy document and any previous decisions
  • write in MS Word or another text program, save it, then copy and paste your argument below.
You must prove to the expert that you have rights to the name. Examples of this can include photographs, invoices, business cards, advertising, and other documents or use.
You must prove to the expert that the .nz domain name registration as it stands is unfair. See Paragraph 5.1 of the DRS Policy for a list of factors that may be evidence of unfair registration.
Supporting documents
Specify the type(s) of mark in which you have rights Required
File types must be PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG. Maximum file size is 6MB.
Allowed file size must be up to 6MB and file types must be PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG.
Do you have any additional documentation to support the claim that the registration is unfair? Required
Allowed file size must be up to 6MB and file types must be PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG.
Allowed file size must be up to 6MB and file types must be PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG.
Legal proceedings
As far as you are aware, have any legal proceedings been issued or terminated in connection with the domain name(s)? You must mention any legal proceedings. Required
Legal details

Please provide a brief description of the proceedings issued, the parties involved, and where appropriate, the outcome.

Go to 'Next'

Related web pages

An expert may look at specific web pages. List a maximum of 10 web addresses related to this dispute. These may be pages of your own, other sites that show a pattern of registration, or any other web page that helps your case. 

Suggested remedy

What is your preferred remedy or outcome? Please tell us here. The expert does not have to follow your request.

What remedy do you what? Required

Transfer: The domain name(s) will be transferred to you. This will give you the legal authority to use the domain name (i.e. for e-mail and web access) and to make changes to the domain name(s) record. For joint complainants, you should request which name you want given to which complainant in your supporting documents.

 

Suspension: The domain name(s) remain registered but cannot be used for email or for a website.

 

Cancellation: The domain name(s) will be removed from the register of .nz domain names. This means the domain name(s) will become available for any party to register on a first-come, first-served basis after the 90-day pending release period. The respondent or an associate of the respondent may register these domain names at that time.

Declaration

To proceed with your dispute, read this page and confirm that you understand all the conditions.

  • I will submit to the New Zealand Courts in any legal proceedings that reverse the effect of a decision around a domain name registration. These can include suspension, cancellation, transfer, or another change. I agree that New Zealand law governs these legal proceedings.

 

  • I agree that my claims and remedies about the domain name(s) are solely against the respondent. None of the following will be liable for anything done or omitted relating to the dispute resolution:
    • Internet NZ
    • the Domain Name Commission
    • any registrar, expert, or mediator
    • any of those entities’ councillors, officers, employees, or servants.

The exception to this is if any of them have acted in bad faith.

 

  • The information in this complaint is true and complete, to the best of my knowledge. I am not presenting this complaint in bad faith. That includes not making this complaint for a purpose other than resolving the problem of who is the proper registrant of a domain name. The matters in this complaint comply with the policy and procedure and applicable law.

 

  • I agree to the terms of the Dispute Resolution Service Policy, including being bound by:
    • the Agreement to Mediate document
    • any resulting decision, subject to any rights of review or appeal.

 

  • If the expert orders a transfer of domain name(s) to me, I will select an authorised .nz registrar. They will provide me with the necessary .nz registry and other services for the domain name(s). If asked I will tell the Domain Name commission who I have chosen.

Please click here to read the Privacy Statement 

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