UDRP - Dispute resolution for generic top-level domains

The generic top-level domains, i.e. the top-level domains not linked to a country, also have solutions for alternative dispute resolution.

The regulations to be found in the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) apply to most general top-level domains, e.g. .com, .net, .org, .info and .biz. The regulations were drawn up and introduced by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which acts as a governing body for the Internet’s top-level domains.

UDRP has been in operation since 1999. It is very similar to the Swedish dispute resolution system for .se, for which it has to a large extent acted as a model. Like other alternative dispute resolution systems, it is intended specifically as an alternative to the traditional tools, e.g. the courts. This means on the one hand that it only handles clear instances of abuse, but on the other hand that it is a very fast and cost-effective option.