The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center and Internet Commerce Association UDRP Review Project Team have published their initial report.

The full initial report and executive summary of recommendations are available on WIPO’s website. The core message is to carefully maintain the good functioning of the UDRP.

The purpose of the Review Project is “to provide ICANN with assistance in finding a more efficient, focused, and practical way forward by providing crucial background information that can help direct the Phase 2 Review” of Rights Protection Mechanisms being carried out by ICANN.

The report is based on input from 16 UDRP experts and 28 specific subject matter experts.

It identifies the following areas of unanimity among the Project Team: loser pays; fee payment deadlines; reviewing and reinforcing ICANN’s role in compliance; providing UDRP-related information for registrars; regulating complaint withdrawals; clarifying registrar verification procedures; identifying dissenting panellists; ICANN contribution to the UDRP; educational materials; mediation; laches/statute of limitations; scope of UDRP; name redaction; and registrars to provide additional notice

Areas where there is no unanimity, but consensus is potentially achievable, are: appeals layer; changing “and” to “or”; supplemental filings; expedited or summary procedures; remedy: true cancellation; panellist appointment, accreditation and quality; codification of case law; free speech; and decision format.

Feedback on the report can be provided until 27 June 2025 via WIPO’s website here. WIPO and ICA will submit a final report to ICANN after that.

The report was showcased at the conference marking the 25^th anniversary of the UDRP, which was held last week. A number of MARQUES members joined either in person or online.