CAMPBELL, Calif. – A Lithuanian court has ordered a Russian company to release the domain name AdultFriendFinder.lt and cease unauthorized use of intellectual property belonging to dating giant FriendFinder Networks Inc. (FFN).
The cybersquatting dispute began in May when FFN demanded Russian company JSC DKD, also known as DKD Dating, cease using the AdultFriendFinder trademark and transfer the domain. DKD refused. In August, attorneys acting on behalf of FFN subsidiary Various Inc., which operates Adult FriendFinder, filed a complaint in Lithuania. The court ruled in Various’s favor when DKD failed to respond to the lawsuit.
Judge William Mikuckienė ruled the domain name was registered and used in bad faith, and was causing confusion among consumers. He further ruled DKD’s use of AdultFriendFinder trademarks represented unfair competition and violated the intellectual property rights of Various Inc. In addition to ordering the domain transferred and the cessation of IP infringement, Mikuckienė also ordered DKD to pay the expenses Various Inc. incurred in bringing the action.
“Enforcing our valuable trademark and intellectual property rights around the world is important in maintaining brand solidarity as well as keeping the customers who are trying to access our sites safe from cyber squatters and other internet outlaws,” said FFN Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jonathan Buckheit. “We are very happy with this result and will continue to aggressively pursue cybersquatters and other infringers as part of our global brand-protection platform.”
David Sigalow of Pennsylvania-based Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrest handled the case on behalf of Various Inc.
FriendFinder Networks Inc. is a leading internet-based social networking and multimedia entertainment company operating several of the most heavily visited dating websites in the world. The company’s notable properties include Cams.com, AdultFriendFinder.com, FriendFinder.com, AsiaFriendFinder.com and ALT.com
