Lost in Translation: I Am Ndex, Hear Me Roar

Case: D2001-1486

Domain(s): yandex.com

Complainant: Yandex Technologies Ltd (1), Comptek International Ltd (2), Yandex Inc (3)

Respondent: Law Bureau of Moscow City Collegium of Advocates

The Defense:

- YA means I in Russian. Therefore, YANDEX translates to INDEX in Russian. This is a common word and cannot, therefore, constitute a trademark.

- When YANDEX is used colloquially, it means that an individual "… considers himself as an initial source (index) of knowledge in some areas".