The internet address “fritz.box” has apparently been taken out of circulation. The internal domain known to many from the AVM router made headlines a few weeks ago when it suddenly became a domain on the web that led to an NFT advertising site. Apparently unknown people had reserved the domain with the intention of capitalizing on the name's popularity. In the meantime, when you access the page, a message appears stating that the domain name was the subject of a dispute resolution procedure. This resulted in the name being removed.
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According to the current information page, the Uniform Rapid Suspension System (URS) was used. This is a procedure that was specifically developed for the quick and cost-effective resolution of obvious cases of trademark infringement in the domain name system. It was introduced by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) as part of the program to introduce new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). The URS process provides brand owners with a means to challenge the registration of domain names that are identical or deceptively similar to a registered trademark and that are clearly being used in bad faith to profit from the brand's reputation.
First step to transfer the domain?
Compared to the broader Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) procedure, it does not provide for the transfer of the disputed domain name, but only the temporary suspension until the registration expires. However, the URS can also be a first step to prevent the use of the domain in order to then take possession of it with a UDRP.
Owners of an AVM-supported home network didn't notice any of this because “fritz.box” directs to their router. However, outside of this or when using alternative DNS servers directly on the device, they reached the domain outside the home network. This was reserved on January 22nd.
Due to trademark rights, it is likely, but currently unconfirmed, that AVM has taken action against the domain. heise online has asked for a statement.
(mki)