Intellectual Property Law

Is "Law Society" Generic for Bar Associations?

By Michael Atkins

In 1999, S.H. Inc. registered lawsociety.com as a domain name.

The Law Society is one of the U.K.’s bar associations. It describes itself as the “representative and regulatory body for the solicitors' branch of the legal profession in England and Wales.”

In 2009, The Law Society filed a complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organization under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. A three-member panel agreed with the complaint and ordered registrar eNom, Inc., to transfer the domain name to The Law Society.

To avoid the transfer, S.H. filed suit in February in the Western District seeking a declaration that its registration does not violate the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act. It asserts the mark is generic.

The Law Society has not yet answered S.H.’s complaint.

Nor has either party filed a joint status report. On April 22, Western District Judge Marsha Pechman ordered the parties to do so or the court will dismiss the case for failure to prosecute.

The case cite is S.H. Inc. v. The Law Society, No. 10-00248 (W.D. Wash.).

Full post as published by Seattle Trademark Lawyer on April 25, 2010 (boomark / email).