Copyright & Digital
.cn and .中国 use the CNDRP framework; many generic domains use the UDRP.
The .cn policy currently applies only to domains registered for less than three years.
Preserve registration history, website use, sale offers, confusion, targeting, and the registrant's pattern.
Policy proceedings generally focus on transfer or cancellation; damages require another route.
Send us the issue, the relevant rights, and any deadline. We will route it to the right practice lead within one business day.
Contact UsRecord the exact domain, registrar, registration and expiry dates, current registrant information available through lawful lookup, nameservers, historical screenshots, email use, redirects, advertisements, sale offers, and related domains. Preserve the site before sending a demand because content and registration data can change quickly.
Confirm the client's trademark, trade name, personal name, or other civil right and the date it arose. The applicable policy depends on the top-level domain and registration agreement.
The China country-code policy for .cn and .中国 differs from the UDRP used for many generic top-level domains. WIPO's current comparison notes that CNDRP applies only where the domain has been registered for less than three years and can protect qualifying names beyond registered trademarks. Its bad-faith test also differs from the UDRP.
Do not copy a UDRP complaint into a CNDRP case. Plead the elements, language, evidence, and remedy required by the governing policy and current procedural rules.
Useful evidence may include a domain identical or confusingly similar to the claimant's right, a website imitating the brand, pay-per-click links, sale demands, false contact details, diversion to competitors, email impersonation, or a pattern of registering third-party names. The registrant may have a legitimate interest based on its own name, bona fide use, or other facts, so investigate before alleging bad faith.
Chronology is critical. A domain registered before the claimant's right or reputation arose may require a different theory or route.
A policy proceeding is designed for a focused transfer or cancellation remedy. Negotiation may be faster where the legal case is uncertain, but use a controlled intermediary and secure transfer mechanics before payment. Chinese court or arbitration proceedings may be appropriate where the policy is unavailable, damages or injunctions are required, broader unfair competition exists, or complex evidence needs judicial treatment.
Avoid threats that inflate the price or trigger transfer to another holder. Consider registrar locks and procedural timing before contact.
Maintain core domains, Chinese-character and transliteration variants, common misspellings, and key market extensions. Use monitoring tied to trademark watches, renew through controlled corporate accounts, enable strong authentication, and keep registrant details current. Domain governance is part of brand security, not an IT afterthought.
WIPO: Domain Name Dispute Resolution for .CN and .中国
WIPO Lex: CNNIC Domain Name Dispute Resolution Rules
National People's Congress: Anti-Unfair Competition Law (2025 Revision)
This article is general information about Chinese IP practice, not legal advice for a specific matter. It was last reviewed on 2026-08-21. Rules, fees, and timelines change; confirm current requirements before acting. For advice on your situation, contact our team.