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WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center

ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL DECISION

Sanofi-aventis v. Jack Chu

Case No. D2009-0394

1. The Parties

The Complainant is Sanofi-aventis of France, represented by Armfelt & Associés Selarl of France.

The Respondent is Jack Chu of United States of America.

2. The Domain Name and Registrar

The disputed domain names <plavix-now.com> and <usingplavix.com> are registered with GoDaddy.com, Inc.

3. Procedural History

The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the "Center") on March 24, 2009. On March 25, 2009, the Center transmitted by email to GoDaddy.com, Inc. a request for registrar verification in connection with the disputed domain names. On March 26, 2009, GoDaddy.com, Inc. transmitted by email to the Center its verification response confirming that the Respondent was listed as the registrant and providing the contact details. The Center verified that the Complaint satisfied the formal requirements of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Policy" or "UDRP"), the Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Rules"), and the WIPO Supplemental Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Supplemental Rules").

In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2(a) and 4(a), the Center formally notified the Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on March 31, 2009. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5(a), the due date for Response was April 20, 2009. Due to uncertainty of status delivery the electronic Notification of Complaint and in the view of apparent non-delivery of the hard copies of the Notification, the Respondent was granted a further 7 (seven) days to indicate whether it intended to submit a Response and/or take any active part in the proceedings. The Response due date was extended to April 28, 2009. The Respondent did not submit any response. Accordingly, the Center notified the Respondent`s default on May 4, 2009.

The Center appointed Dr. Hong Xue as the sole panelist in this matter on May 8, 2009. The Panel finds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the Rules, paragraph 7.

4. Factual Background

The Complainant Sanofi-aventis is a multinational pharmaceutical company present in more than 100 countries across 5 continents. PLAVIX is the Complainant`s trademark for pharmaceutical products and has been registered in a number of countries or regions.

The Respondent registered the disputed domain names <usingplavix.com> on September 19, 2007 and <plavix-now.com> on June 6, 2008.

5. Parties` Contentions

A. Complainant

The Complainant states that it is the largest pharmaceutical group in Europe and fourth largest in the world with presence in more than 100 countries across 5 continents.

The Complainant states that PLAVIX is its product for the prevention of ischemic events caused by atherothrombosis and had been registered as a trademark in many countries and regions, including France and the United States.

The Complainant contends that the disputed domain names <usingplavix.com> and <plavix-now.com> are confusingly similar to the PLAVIX trademark in which the Complainant has rights.

The Complainant contends that the Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the disputed domain names.

The Complainant contends that the disputed domain names were registered and are being used in bad faith.

The Complainant requested that the Panel issue an order that the disputed domain names <usingplavix.com> and <plavix-now.com> be cancelled.

B. Respondent

The Respondent did not reply to the Complainant`s contentions.

6. Discussion and Findings

A. Identical or Confusingly Similar

According to the Policy, paragraph 4 (a)(i), a complainant must prove that a disputed domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the complainant has rights. In line with such requirement, a complainant must prove its trademark rights and the identity or confusing similarity between the disputed domain name and its trademark.

The Panel finds that before the registration of the disputed domain names the Complainant has acquired the trademark right over the mark PLAVIX through registrations in a number of countries and regions, including the United States which is the Respondent`s country of residence.

The disputed domain names are <usingplavix.com> and <plavix-now.com>. Apart from the generic top-level domain suffix ".com", the disputed domain names consist of "usingplavix.com" and "plavix-now". Compared with the Complainant`s mark PLAVIX, generic words "using" and "now" are added. It is established by numerous decisions made under the Policy that adding such a descriptive word to a complainant`s mark will usually not preclude a finding of confusing similarity (see Experian Information Solutions, Inc. v. BPB Prumerica Travel (a/k/a SFXB a/k/a H. Bousquet a/k/a Brian Evans), WIPO Case No. D2002-0367). The Panel finds that the disputed domain names comprising of the Complainant`s registered trademark PLAVIX in its entirety and other generic words are confusingly similar to the Complainant`s mark.

The Complaint has proven the first element required by paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.

B. Rights or Legitimate Interests

The Complainant asserted that the Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain names and, as stated above, the Respondent did not provide any information to the Panel asserting any rights or legitimate interests it may have in the disputed domain names.

It is apparent from the Complaint that there is no connection between the Respondent and the Complainant or its business. The Respondent did not rebut the Complainant`s contention that the disputed domain names were not used in connection with any bona fide offering of goods or services. The lack of a Response leads the Panel to draw a negative inference.

Therefore, and also in light of the Panel`s findings below, the Panel finds that the Respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in the disputed domain names. Accordingly, the Complaint has proven the second element required by paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.

C. Registered and Used in Bad Faith

The Complainant contended the Respondent had registered and is using the disputed domain names in bad faith. The Respondent did not respond.

Through examining the evidence submitted, the Panel notes that the disputed domain names are being used for a website of "www.bestliferx.com" on which the Complainant`s PLAVIX products, counterfeit PLAVIX products and other pharmaceutical products directly competing with PLAVIX are being sold. Since the disputed domain names were registered and are fully controlled by the Respondent, the Respondent is responsible for any use of them. The use of the disputed domain names to set up portals and then redirect to the website that is selling counterfeit or competing pharmaceutical products to PLAVIX is highly likely to attract and confuse the consumers with the Complainant`s mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation or endorsement of the disputed domain names` website or of the products on the website.

The Panel finds that it is adequate to conclude that the Respondent has registered and used the disputed domain names in bad faith under the Policy, paragraph 4(b)(iv). Therefore, the Complaint successfully proves the third element required by paragraph 4(a) of the Policy.

7. Decision

For all the foregoing reasons, in accordance with paragraphs 4(i) of the Policy and 15 of the Rules, the Panel orders that the domain names <usingplavix.com> and <plavix-now.com> be cancelled.

Dr. Hong Xue
Sole Panelist

Dated: May 22, 2009