A Nominet panel has ruled that Zape Technology Ltd, which runs WeDonate.io, tried to reverse hijack the domain WeDonate.co.uk.
Zape first offered $1,000 for the domain but was refused. It then filed a complaint, even though the domain was registered before the company existed.
The panel found the claim abusive and highlighted five issues:
Trademark came later – Zape got its trademark after the domain was registered.
Ignored policy rules – It relied on trademark law instead of domain dispute rules.
No bad faith – There was no evidence the domain owner acted unfairly.
Failed purchase attempt – The complaint came only after a failed offer to buy the name.
Didn’t pay for the case – Zape didn’t follow through with the dispute process.
The panel confirmed that owning dictionary-word domains is legal and protected.