The Irish Government’s “Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism” recently used the WIPO system against “Odyssey Internet Portal Limited”
The Department states it had intended to use the domain cultureireland.ie for a new agency called “Culture Ireland” with the goal of promoting Irish culture, which is admirable. However the Department proceeded to have their stationary printed and their agency publicised in the media before actually registering the domain!
David vs Goliath? Well the registrant never responded and still got to keep the domain!
Now here’s the thing, the very same Department that filed the recent WIPO actually had the domain back in 2002 for a brand called Cultúr and let it drop meanwhile.
Interestingly, this is only the 3rd .ie ccTLD to enjoy a complete WIPO, the others were three.ie and shopelectric.ie.
It’s good that the gov lost, regardless of the details the domain is generic and the principle of first come first served applies.