Words Want to Be Free: Philip’s Organization

Case: D2000-1638

Domain(s): philips.org

Complainant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV

Respondent: Ramazan Goktas

The Defense:

Mr Goktas alleges that the name "Philip" is generic and that it is unreasonable for Philips to seek to monopolise it. He argues defences based on free speech and fair use and contends that the website is a "complaint site" which is engaged in no commercial activity.

In a somewhat contradictory fashion, he also argues that he intended to use the name for a travel site based on the trading title "Philip’s Organisation".