China ccTLD Dispute Resolution Policy

Article 1.This Policy is formulated in accordance with relevant regulations and policies, as well as the provisions of the Internet Domain Name Regulations, in order to resolve disputes regarding ".CN" and ".中國(guó)" ccTLDs (hereinafter referred to as "domain names").

Article 2.This Policy is applied to resolve the disputes stemming from registration or use of domain names.However, the Domain NameDispute ResolutionService Providers do not accept the complaint regarding domain names with registration term of over threeyears.

Article 3.The domain name disputes shall be resolved with the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Service Providers recognized by China Internet Network Information Center (hereinafter referred to as CNNIC).

The Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Providers shall, in accordance with this Policy and China ccTLD Dispute Resolution Procedural Rules (hereinafter referred to as "procedural rules"), formulate the supplemental rules, which should be approved by CNNIC.

Article 4.The Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Providers shall implement a system whereby Panels of experts are responsible for the resolution of disputes. The Panels are composed of one or three panelists, who have expertise on computer networks and laws, possess a high sense of professional ethics and are capable of rendering independent, unbiased and fair decisions in domain name disputes. The list of the panelists shall be published on line by the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Providers, and the complainants and the respondents may select the panelists therefrom.

Article 5.Any person who considers that a registered domain name conflicts with the legitimate rights or interests of that person may file a complaint with any of the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Providers.

Upon the acceptance of the complaint, the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Providers shall form a Panel in accordance with the procedural rules. The Panel shall, in accordance with this Policy, the relevant procedural rules, and the principle of independence, impartiality, fairness and convenience, render a decision to the dispute within 14 days from the date of the appointment of the Panel.

Article 6.The language of the domain name dispute resolution proceeding shall be Chinese, unless otherwise agreed by the parties or determined by the Panel.

Article 7.The complainant and the respondent shall bear the burden of proof for their own claims.

Article 8.Support of a complaint against a registered domain name is subject to the following conditions:

(i) the disputed domain name is identical with or confusingly similar to the complainant's name or mark in which the complaint has civil rights or interests;

(ii) the disputed domain name holder has no right or legitimate interest in respect of the domain name or major part of the domain name;

(iii) the disputed domain name holder has registered or used the domain name in bad faith.

Article 9.Any of the following circumstances may be the evidence of the registration or use of a domain name in bad faith:

(i) the disputed domain name holder has registered or acquired the domain name for the purpose of selling, renting or otherwise transferring the domain name to the complainant who is the owner of the name or mark or to a competitor of that complainant to obtain unjustified benefits;

(ii) the disputed domain name holder registered the domain name in order to prevent the owners of the name or mark from reflecting the name or the mark in a corresponding domain name;

(iii) the disputed domain name holder has registered or acquired the domain name for the purpose of damaging the complainant's reputation, disrupting the complainant's normal business or creating confusion with the complainant's name or mark so as to mislead the public;

(iv) other circumstances which may prove the bad faith.

Article 10.Before a respondent receiving the complaint, any of the following circumstances may be evidence of his rights to and legitimate interests in the domain name:

(i) therespondent uses the domain name or a name corresponding to the domain name in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services;

(ii) therespondent has been commonly known by the domain name, even if he has acquired no trademark or service mark rights;

(iii) therespondent is making a legitimate noncommercial or fair use of the domain name, without intent of or commercial gain to misleadingly divert consumers.

Article 11.If a complainant files complaints against multiple domain names owned by the same domain name holder, the complainant or the respondent may request that the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Service Providers consolidate the disputes before a single Panel. The Panel may determine whether to make the consolidation.

Article 12.Before the Panel makes the decision to a dispute, either party who believes that any of the panelists has a material interest in the opposite party and the material interest could influence the impartiality of the decision may request the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider to ask the panelist to withdraw from the Panel. In the request, the facts and reasons shall be stated and the supporting evidence be provided. The Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider shall have the discretion to determine whether the panelist shall withdraw.

Article 13.CNNIC and the domain name registrars shall not participate in the domain name resolution proceedings in any capacity or manner, other than providing the information relevant to the registration and use of the domain name upon the request of the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Service Providers.

Article 14.The Panel shall make the decisions on the basis of the facts related to the dispute and the evidence submitted by the complainant and the respondent.Where the Panel supports the complaint, the registered domain name shall be cancelled or transferred to the complainant; otherwise, the complaint shall be rejected.

Article 15.Before a complaint is filed pursuant to this Policy, or during the dispute resolution proceedings, or after the expert Panel has rendered its decision, either party may institute an action concerning the same dispute with the court at the place where CNNIC's principal office is located or subject to the agreement between the parties, submit the dispute to a Chinese arbitration institution for arbitration.

Article 16.If the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider rules in its decision to cancel the registered domain name or to transfer it to the complainant, the domain name registrar, before enforcing the decision, shall wait 10 days calculating from the date on which the decision is published. If during such waiting period the respondent submits valid proof attesting that a competent judicial authority or arbitration institution has accepted the relevant dispute, the registrar shall not enforce the decision of the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider.

After the decision of the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider is suspended, the registrar shall take the further action as follows:

(i) if any proof attests that the parties have reached a settlement by themselves, the registrar shall enforce such settlement;

(ii) if any proof attests that the party that instituted the judicial action or applied for arbitration has withdrawn the complaint or the relevant action or complaint has been rejected, the registrar shall enforce the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider's decision;

(iii) if the judicial authority or arbitration institution has rendered a judgment or an award that has become legally effective, the registrar shall enforce such judgment or award.

Article 17.During the dispute resolution proceedings and before the enforcement of arbitral awards, the domain name holder shall not apply for the transfer or cancellation of the disputed domain name, nor change the registrar,unless the transferee agrees in writing to accept the decision of the Dispute Resolution Service Provider.

Article 18.A Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider shall establish a dedicated website, receive complaints concerning domain name disputes on line and make relevant materials concerning the domain name dispute cases publicly available. However, the Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider, upon the request of the complainant or the respondent, may keep confidential materials and information that may cause damage to the interests of the party if made publicly available.

Article 19.CNNIC has the right to amend this Policy in accordance with the development of the Internet and the domain name system and revision of the relevant Chinese laws, regulations and policies, etc. The amended Policy will be published on the website. The amended Policy shall not apply to domain name disputes that had been submitted to a Domain NameDispute Resolution Service Provider prior to the amendment of this Policy.

The amended Policy will automatically become a part of domain name registration agreements between the domain name holder and the registrar. If a domain name holder does not agree to be bound by the Policy or its amended version thereof, he shall notify the registrar in a timely manner. The registrar will continue the domain name services for the domain name holder for 30 days after the receipt of such notification and cancel the relevant domain name registration after the passage of the 30 days.

Article 20.The laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China shall apply to matters not stipulated in this Policy.

Article 21.This Policy is subject to the interpretation of CNNIC.

Article 22.This Policy shall be implemented since June 18, 2019. The former CNNIC ccTLD Dispute Resolution Policy (effective as of November 21, 2014) ceases effect simultaneously.