National Arbitration Forum's Domain Name Dispute Resolution Program Goes Paperless

Only Electronic Documents Accepted After March 1

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Arbitration Forum (FORUM) announces "green" changes to its domain name dispute resolution process. The Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) governed by the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and administered by the FORUM now requires all case documents be submitted electronically, as of March 1, 2010. To accord with this change the FORUM prepared new Supplemental Rules effective for all cases filed on or after March 1, 2010.

When ICANN released the updated UDRP Rules, it also notified the FORUM and other UDRP Providers that they would be permitted to allow parties to opt-in to a paperless system prior to March 1. The FORUM has accepted dozens of entirely electronic case filings since December 29, 2009 and has already issued several decisions as of this release.

Within the next week, the FORUM expects to launch an updated version of its online filing platform that will streamline the online filing process and make it easier for parties to securely pay filing fees using a credit card. Parties interested in learning more about this mandatory process should watch the FORUM's website where information and links to the necessary documents are posted. The FORUM is in the process of updating forms and instruction sheets as well.

Also, as a result of online filing, the FORUM will focus on increased compliance with UDRP Rule 19, which prohibits action on cases before payments are received. As the FORUM no longer has to wait for hard copies, and continues to make online payment more convenient and secure, the FORUM will not proceed with electronically filed cases until payment is received.

The National Arbitration Forum offers the following tips and reminders to clarify the new paperless process:

1. Parties may continue to use all the old forms they have always used.
2. Parties should review the FORUM's new Annex to the Supplemental Rules to familiarize themselves with the limitations set on the types and sizes of electronic files.
3. Take advantage of the FORUM's online filing process if you want to pay securely via credit card (available now, with additional upgrades coming soon).
4. Nothing needs to be sent via mail.  

The National Arbitration Forum welcomes feedback. If you have used the new electronic process and would like to offer feedback on your experience, please send an email to [email protected]. We will also welcome comments on the changes to our Supplemental Rules at this email address. Please note that we may or may not be able to incorporate suggestions into the March 1, 2010, or future versions of our Supplemental Rules.

Please contact [email protected] with questions about paperless UDRP filings.

About the National Arbitration Forum (FORUM)

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, the National Arbitration Forum is an approved provider of the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) by the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Since 1999, over 13,000 domain name disputes worldwide have been filed through the National Arbitration Forum's state-of-the-art case management system, now optimized by Forthright. For more information, visit http://domains.adrforum.com.

SOURCE National Arbitration Forum