The Uniform Rapid Suspension System (URS) is an expedited administrative procedure designed to provide a cheaper, faster alternative to the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) for addressing cases of clear-cut trademark infringement by domain names. It was developed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) as part of the introduction of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) to enhance the protection of intellectual property rights in the domain name system.
The URS is specifically tailored for cases where the infringement is obvious, offering trademark holders a mechanism to quickly suspend domain names that are identical or confusingly similar to their trademarks, provided that these domain names have no legitimate use and have been registered and are being used in bad faith. Unlike the UDRP, which can result in the transfer of the domain name to the complainant, the primary remedy under the URS is the suspension of the domain name for the remainder of the registration period, with the option for the complainant to pay for an extension of up to a year.
The URS procedure is characterized by its speed and lower cost relative to the UDRP, aiming to provide an efficient means to combat the most clear-cut cases of cybersquatting. Once a complaint is filed, the respondent has a short period to answer, and cases are typically decided within a matter of weeks. If the complaint is successful, the domain name is suspended, and it will resolve to an informational web page provided by ICANN, indicating the domain name’s suspended status.
Despite its advantages in terms of speed and cost, the URS is considered a complementary mechanism to the UDRP rather than a replacement, given its more limited scope and remedies. It is most appropriate for clear instances of trademark abuse where immediate relief is sought, and the complainant is not necessarily interested in acquiring the domain name.