The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has upheld a previous ruling that grants Automobili Lamborghini ownership of the coveted domain name Lambo.com, marking another major victory for the Italian luxury carmaker in its long-running dispute.

Lamborghini originally won the domain through a UDRP (Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy)proceeding in 2022, after alleging that the domain was being held in bad faith. The domain’s owner, Richard Blair, subsequently filed a lawsuit to block the transfer.

In October 2024, a district court granted summary judgment in favor of Lamborghini — a decision that Blair appealed. The appeals court has now affirmed that ruling, solidifying Lamborghini’s claim to the domain. Unless Blair escalates the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court, the UDRP transfer order will move forward.

Background

Richard Blair purchased Lambo.com for $10,000 in 2018. He argued that he was personally known as “Lambo” and had used the name as a username on the NamePros domain forum. However, evidence showed he only adopted the nickname after buying the domain.
Adding to the controversy, Blair reportedly listed the domain for sale at a staggering $75 million, undermining his claim of legitimate personal use.

Under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA), courts assess multiple factors to determine intent and legitimacy. Both the district and appeals courts found that the evidence weighed strongly in favor of Lamborghini — citing trademark rights, bad faith use, and the excessive asking price as decisive factors.

The Verdict

With the Ninth Circuit’s affirmation, Lambo.com will soon be officially transferred to Automobili Lamborghini, strengthening the brand’s digital identity and reinforcing how courts continue to side with established trademarks in domain disputes.