Domain Name News

Posted: 28 Nov 2011 09:06 AM PST

Do Facebook and Twitter need a UDRP?

As reported by Tech:Blorge today, German pharmaceutical giant Merck is suing Facebook in a New York Court (reported by WSJ) to demand details as to why Facebook will not allow them to use the “facebook.com/merck” username for their Facebook page.

According to Tech:Blorge, “The German firm came first, while the US firm was created using American assets surrendered by the German firm during the first world war. To minimize confusion and to avoid trademark disputes, the German firm is known as EMD Chemicals in North America, while the US firm is known as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside of North America.”

The German company says it cut a deal with Facebook last year allowing them exclusive rights to the address but has failed to follow through (BBC).

What do you think, do we need UDRP-like rules for social media URLs?

[via Tech:Blorge]

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