Domain Name DISPUTE POLICY
1.
MPC Internetworks, Inc. is responsible for the
registration of second-level Internet domain
names in the top level COM, ORG and NET domains.
MPC Internetworks, Inc. registers these
second-level domain names on a "first come,
first served" basis. By registering a domain
name, MPC Internetworks, Inc. does not determine
the legality of the domain name registration, or
otherwise evaluate whether that registration or
use may infringe upon the rights of a third
party.
2. The entity applying for a domain name
("registrant") is solely responsible for
selecting its own domain name ("domain name")
and maintaining it for the continued accuracy of
the registration record. The registrant, by
completing and submitting the Domain Name
Registration Agreement ("Registration
Agreement"), represents that the statements in
its application are true and that the
registration of the selected domain name, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, does not
interfere with or infringe upon the rights of
any third party. The registrant also represents
that the domain name is not being registered for
any unlawful purpose.
3. MPC Internetworks, Inc. neither acts as
arbiter nor provides resolution of disputes
between registrants and third party complainants
arising out of the registration or use of a
domain name. This Domain Name Dispute Policy
("Policy") does not confer any rights,
procedural or substantive, upon third party
complainants. Likewise, complainants are not
obligated to use this Policy.
4. This Policy does not limit the administrative
or legal procedures MPC Internetworks, Inc. may
use when third party conflicts arise, or when
MPC Internetworks, Inc. is presented with
information that a domain name violates the
legal rights of a third party, including, but
not limited to, information that the display or
use of the domain name is expressly prohibited
by a United States federal statute or
regulation.
5. Modifications. The registrant acknowledges
and agrees that MPC Internetworks, Inc. may
modify or amend this Policy from time to time,
and that such changes are binding upon the
registrant.
6. Indemnity. The Registrant hereby agrees to
defend, indemnify and hold harmless (i) MPC
Internetworks, Inc., its officers, directors,
employees and agents; (ii) the United States
Government("USG"), its officers and employees;
(iii) the Internet Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers ("ICANN"), its officers,
directors, employees and agents; (iv) Network
Solutions Inc., ("NSI") in its role as registry,
and its directors, officers, employees and
agents acting in such Role, or such other entity
as may come to act as registry, (collectively,
the "Indemnified Parties"), for any claims,
action, demand, liabilities, losses, costs,
expenses or damages, including reasonable legal
fees and expenses, arising out of, resulting
from or related to the registration or use of
the Domain Name. Such claims shall include,
without limitation, those based upon trademark
or service mark infringement, trade name
infringement, dilution, tortious interference
with contract or prospective business advantage,
unfair competition, defamation or injury to
business reputation. Each Indemnified Party
shall send written notice to the Registrant of
any such claim, action, or demand against that
party within a reasonable time. The failure of
any Indemnified Party to give the appropriate
notice shall not affect the rights of other
Indemnified Parties. MPC Internetworks, Inc.
recognizes that certain educational and
governmental entities may not be able to provide
complete indemnification. If the Registrant is
(i) a governmental or non-profit educational
entity, and (ii) not permitted by law or under
its organizational documents to provide
indemnification, the Registrant must notify MPC
Internetworks, Inc. in writing and, upon
receiving appropriate proof of such restriction,
MPC Internetworks, Inc. may provide an
alternative provision for such a Registrant
7. Revocation. The registrant agrees that MPC
Internetworks, Inc. shall have the right in its
sole discretion to revoke, suspend, transfer or
otherwise modify a domain name registration upon
thirty (30) calendar days prior written notice,
or at such time as MPC Internetworks, Inc.
receives a properly authenticated order from a
court of competent jurisdiction, or arbitration
award, requiring the revocation, suspension,
transfer or modification of the domain name
registration.
8. Dispute Initiation. Registrant agrees that
while MPC Internetworks, Inc. can neither act as
an arbiter nor provide resolution of disputes
arising out of the registration and use of a
domain name, MPC Internetworks, Inc. may be
presented with information that a domain name
possibly violates the trademark rights of a
trademark owner. MPC Internetworks, Inc. may
apply the procedures described in Section 9 when
a third party complainant ("complainant")
presents MPC Internetworks, Inc. with
satisfactory evidence of both trademark
ownership and written notice to the domain name
registrant describing the legal harm the
trademark owner is incurring. The documents
required in support of a complainant's written
request that MPC Internetworks, Inc. invoke
Section 9, Dispute Procedures, must include:
(a). An original, certified copy, not more than
six (6) months old, of a trademark registration
("certified registration"), which is in full
force and effect and is identical to a
second-level domain name (i.e., not including
COM, NET, and ORG) on the principal or
equivalent registry of any country (copies
certified in accordance with 37 CFR
2.33(a)(1)(viii) or its successor will meet this
standard for registrations in jurisdictions
other than the United States). Trademark or
service mark registrations from the supplemental
or equivalent registry of any country, or from
individual states or provinces of a nation, will
not be accepted. Trademarks incorporating a
design will not be accepted; and
(b). A copy of the written prior notice sent to
the domain name registrant by the complainant,
and a representation by the complainant
indicating the mode of delivery of the notice
(e.g., first class mail, overnight delivery) and
the factual basis for believing that the domain
name registrant received the notice. Notices
must be sent to the mailing address of the
domain name registrant as provided in MPC
Internetworks, Inc.' WHOIS database. The notice
to the domain name registrant must clearly state
that the complainant believes the registration
and use of the disputed domain name violates the
trademark rights of the complainant; the notice
must also clearly allege the factual and legal
bases for the belief. MPC Internetworks, Inc.
will not undertake any separate investigation of
the statements in such notice.
9. Dispute Procedures. In those instances where
a third party claim is based upon and complies
with Section 8(a and b), MPC Internetworks, Inc.
may apply the following procedures, which
recognize that trademark ownership does not
automatically extend to the right to register a
domain name and which reflect no opinion on the
part of MPC Internetworks, Inc. concerning the
ultimate determination of the claim:
(a). MPC Internetworks, Inc. shall determine the
creation date of the registrant's domain name
registration ("domain name creation date").
(b). If the registrant's domain name creation
date precedes the effective date of the valid
and subsisting certified registration owned by
the complainant, MPC Internetworks, Inc. will
take no action on the complainant's request.
(c). If the domain name creation date is after
the effective date of the valid and subsisting
certified registration owned by the complainant,
then MPC Internetworks, Inc. shall request from
the registrant proof of ownership of
registrant's own registered trademark or service
mark by submission of a certified registration,
of the type and nature specified in Section 8(a)
above. The certified registration must be owned
by the registrant and the effective date must be
prior to the date of any third party's notice of
a dispute to the registrant. If the registrant
satisfies the requirements of this Section 9(c),
MPC Internetworks, Inc. will take no further
action on the complainant's request.
(d). If the domain name creation date is after
the effective date of the valid and subsisting
certified registration owned by the complainant,
and the registrant fails to provide a certified
registration as specified in Section 8(a) to MPC
Internetworks, Inc. within thirty (30) calendar
days of receipt of MPC Internetworks, Inc.'s
dispute notification letter, MPC Internetworks,
Inc. will assist the registrant with
registration of a new domain name, and will
allow the registrant to maintain both names
simultaneously for up to ninety (90) calendar
days to allow an orderly transition to the new
domain name. MPC Internetworks, Inc. will
provide such assistance to a registrant if and
only if, within thirty (30) calendar days of
receipt of MPC Internetworks, Inc.' dispute
notification letter, the registrant (1) submits
a Registration Agreement requesting the
registration of a new domain name; and
(2) submits an explicit written request to MPC
Internetworks, Inc.' Business Affairs Office,
including an identification of the registrant's
desired new domain name and the NIC MPC
Internetworks, Inc. in response to the new
Registration Agreement. At the end of the ninety
(90) calendar day period of simultaneous use,
MPC Internetworks, Inc. will place the disputed
domain name on "Hold" status, pending resolution
of the dispute. As long as a domain name is on
"Hold" status, that domain name registered to
the registrant shall not be available for use by
any party. (e). In the event the registrant
fails to select one of the following options by
a written response, received by MPC
Internetworks, Inc.' Business Affairs Office
within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of
MPC Internetworks, Inc.' dispute notification
letter, MPC Internetworks, Inc. will place the
domain name on "Hold" (wherein the domain name
will not be available for use by any party)
pending resolution of the dispute:
(1). Provide the documentation required by
Section 9(c) of this Policy,
(2). Relinquish the domain name and transfer it
to the complainant,
(3). Register a new and different domain name
pursuant to Section 9(d) of this Policy, or
(4). File a civil action and provide a copy of a
file-stamped complaint pursuant to Section 10 of
this Policy. (f). MPC Internetworks, Inc. will
reinstate the domain name placed in "Hold"
status, or will not place it in "Hold" status,
(i) upon receiving a properly authenticated
temporary or final order by a court of competent
jurisdiction, or arbitration award, stating
which party to the dispute is entitled to the
domain name,
(ii) if MPC Internetworks, Inc. receives other
satisfactory evidence from the parties of the
resolution of the dispute, or(iii) the
complainant requests that the domain name not be
placed on "Hold. (g). A domain name registrant
involved in Dispute Procedures remains subject
to the terms and conditions of the Registration
Agreement, including fees.
10. Litigation. Independent of the provisions of
Section 9 of the Policy, in the event that:
(a). The registrant files a civil action related
to the registration and use of the domain name
against the complainant in a court of competent
jurisdiction, and provides MPC Internetworks,
Inc. with a copy of the file-stamped complaint,
MPC Internetworks, Inc. will maintain the status
quo ante of the domain name record pending a
temporary or final decision of the court. For
example, if the domain name is not on "Hold," it
will not be placed on "Hold;" if the domain name
is already on "Hold," it will remain on "Hold."
In such cases, MPC Internetworks, Inc. will
deposit control of the domain name into the
registry of the court by supplying the
registrant with the registry certificate for
deposit. While the domain name is in the
registry of the court, MPC Internetworks, Inc.
will not make any changes to the domain name
record unless ordered by the court. The
registrant also shall promptly provide copies of
any and all pleadings filed in the action to MPC
Internetworks, Inc. upon MPC Internetworks,
Inc.'s request.
(b). The complainant files a civil action
related to the registration and use of the
domain name against the registrant in a court of
competent jurisdiction, and provides MPC
Internetworks, Inc. with a copy of the
file-stamped complaint, MPC Internetworks, Inc.
will maintain the status quo ante of the domain
name record pending a temporary or final
decision of the court. For example, if the
domain name is not on "Hold," it will not be
placed on "Hold;" if the domain name is already
on "Hold," it will remain on "Hold." MPC
Internetworks, Inc. will deposit control of the
domain name into the registry of the court by
supplying the complainant with the registry
certificate for deposit. While the domain name
is in the registry of the court, MPC
Internetworks, Inc. will not make any changes to
the domain name record unless ordered by the
court.
(c). In both instances, under Section 10(a and
b), MPC Internetworks, Inc. will abide by those
provisions of temporary or final court orders,
or arbitration awards, directing the disposition
of the domain name, without being named as a
party to the civil action. The civil action must
include the domain name registrant as a party.
If named as a party to a civil action, MPC
Internetworks, Inc. shall not be limited to the
above actions, but reserves the right to raise
any and all defenses deemed appropriate, and to
take any other action necessary to defend
itself.
(d). A domain name registrant involved in
Litigation remains subject to the terms and
conditions of the Registration Agreement,
including fees.
11. DISCLAIMER. THE REGISTRANT AGREES THAT MPC
Internetworks, Inc. WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
LOSS OF REGISTRATION AND USE OF REGISTRANT'S
DOMAIN NAME, OR FOR INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS, OR
ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING
LOST PROFITS) REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION
WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING
NEGLIGENCE), OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF MPC
Internetworks, Inc. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL
MPC Internetworks, Inc.'s MAXIMUM LIABILITY
EXCEED Seventy ($70.00) DOLLARS PER DOMAIN NAME.
12. Notices. All notices between MPC
Internetworks, Inc. and its registrants
permitted or required under this Policy shall be
in writing and shall be delivered by electronic
mail, personal delivery, courier delivery,
facsimile transmission, and/or by first class
mail, and shall be deemed given upon delivery,
transmission, or seven (7) calendar days after
deposit in the mail, whichever occurs first.
Initial notices shall be sent to the domain name
registrant at the address of the domain name
registrant listed in MPC Internetworks, Inc.'
WHOIS database.
13. Non-Agency. Nothing contained in this Policy
shall be construed
as creating any agency, partnership, or other
form of joint
enterprise between the parties.
14. Non-Waiver. The failure of MPC
Internetworks, Inc. to require performance by
the registrant of any provision hereof shall not
affect the full right to require such
performance at any time thereafter; nor shall
the waiver by MPC Internetworks, Inc. of a
breach of any provision hereof be taken or held
to be a waiver of the provision itself.
15. Breach. The registrant's failure to abide by
any provision under this Policy may be
considered by MPC Internetworks, Inc. to be a
material breach and MPC Internetworks, Inc. may
provide a written notice, describing the breach,
to the registrant. If, within thirty (30)
calendar days of the date of such notice, the
registrant fails to provide evidence, which is
reasonably satisfactory to MPC Internetworks,
Inc., that it has not breached its obligations,
then MPC Internetworks, Inc. may revoke
registrant's registration of the domain name.
Any such breach by a registrant shall not be
deemed to have been excused simply because MPC
Internetworks, Inc. did not act earlier in
response to that, or any other, breach by the
registrant.
16. Invalidity. In the event that any provision
of this Policy shall be unenforceable or invalid
under any applicable law or be so held by
applicable court decision, such unenforceability
or invalidity shall not render this Policy
unenforceable or invalid as a whole. MPC
Internetworks, Inc. will amend or replace such
provision with one that is valid and enforceable
and which achieves, to the extent possible, the
original objectives and intent of MPC
Internetworks, Inc. as reflected in the original
provision.
17. Entirety. This Policy, as amended, and the
current Registration Agreement together
constitute the complete and exclusive agreement
between MPC Internetworks, Inc. and the
registrant, and supersede and govern all prior
proposals, agreements, or other communications.
The registrant agrees that registration of a
domain name constitutes an agreement to be bound
by this Policy, as amended from time to time