ccTLD dispute policy: definition

Every country code top-level domain (ccTLD), such as .es or .uk, sets its own rules for disputes over its names. Some copy the UDRP, the procedure used for generic domains such as .com; others change it, write their own, or leave disputes to the courts.

What a ccTLD dispute policy is

The UDRP does not apply to ccTLDs by default: each ccTLD manager The organization that runs a country code top-level domain. Full definition of ccTLD manager decides how disputes are settled. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization The United Nations agency whose center handles many domain name disputes. Full definition of WIPO) helps registry The central database and system of a top-level domain, or loosely the organization that runs it. Full definition of registry write such rules and handles disputes for more than 80 ccTLDs (as of October 2026). There are four patterns:

the UDRP as it is, for example .co, .me and .tv;
a variation of the UDRP, for example .au, .es, .eu, .fr, .mx and .uk;
a different model, such as expedited arbitration for .pl;
no out-of-court procedure: .de is not on WIPO’s list, and its registry DENIC Deutsches Network Information Center The Frankfurt-based cooperative that runs Germany's .de domain. Full definition of DENIC leaves disputes to the courts.

How ccTLD procedures differ from the UDRP

Wider rights. Beyond trademarks, many policies protect company and personal names (.au); civil names, well-known pseudonyms and names of Spanish public bodies (.es); rights under national or European Union (EU) law, such as family names (.eu); registered slogans and designations of origin (.mx).
A lower bar on bad faith Intent to take unfair advantage of another's trademark through a domain name. Full definition of bad faith. The UDRP requires registration Obtaining the right to use a domain name for a set period. Full definition of registration and use in bad faith. For .au, .es, .eu and .mx, either is enough. Under .eu, the complainant The party that files a domain dispute, usually a trademark owner. Full definition of complainant need only show either that the holder has no rights or legitimate interests In the UDRP, a valid reason for a holder to have the disputed domain. Full definition of rights or legitimate interests, or bad faith. Under .uk, an Abusive Registration is enough, at registration or in later use.
Local language and courts. .es cases run in Spanish with the courts of Madrid as mutual jurisdiction The court location a UDRP complainant accepts for any lawsuit challenging the decision. Full definition of mutual jurisdiction, .fr cases in French, .uk cases in English with English courts.
Extra steps. .uk has a mediation stage and an appeal; the UDRP has no internal appeal. Afnic Association française pour le nommage Internet en coopération The nonprofit association that runs France's .fr domain. Full definition of Afnic, the .fr registry, offers free mediation first.
Waiting periods. Before carrying out a decision, the UDRP registrar A company that registers domain names for customers with the registry. Full definition of registrar waits 10 business days, the .eu registry 30 calendar days and SYRELI Système de résolution de litiges Afnic's own dispute procedure for .fr domains, alongside a second one run by WIPO. Full definition of SYRELI 15 calendar days. Proof of a court case filed in that time stops it.

Major procedures: .uk, .fr, .eu, .de, .au, .mx

.uk

Under the Nominet DRS Nominet Dispute Resolution Service The dispute process for .uk domains, based on the idea of an abusive registration. Full definition of Nominet DRS, the complainant may ask for transfer, suspension or cancellation. WIPO administers cases filed from 7 July 2026; earlier cases stay with Nominet The organization that runs the .uk domain registry. Full definition of Nominet. After the written exchange comes mediation; if the parties do not agree within 10 working days, they are invited to pay for an expert decision. As of October 2026, it costs 750 pounds sterling (GBP), and an appeal GBP 3,000, starting with a non-refundable GBP 300 deposit.

.fr

Afnic offers two procedures under French law. The complainant must have standing, be eligible for .fr and show a ground set by that law, such as infringement of intellectual property rights.

In SYRELI, a college of three (Afnic’s chief executive and two Afnic employees) rules within two months, in French. Only transfer or deletion Removing a domain registration from the registry, which starts the path to its release. Full definition of deletion is possible, never damages, and the claimant bears the costs, with no refund.
In the second procedure, one expert appointed by WIPO decides, in French, on one domain per complaint, for 1,500 euros (EUR) as of October 2026.

A domain that has been through one procedure cannot go through the other.

.eu

ADR runs at the CAC Czech Arbitration Court A Prague arbitration court that handles .eu, UDRP and .cz domain disputes. Full definition of CAC (CAC) or WIPO and takes three months on average, in the holder’s language unless the complainant asks for another official EU language. As of October 2026, the standard fee at WIPO is EUR 1,300 for one to five names and one panelist; for complaints filed in 2026, a EURid The nonprofit registry that runs .eu under contract with the European Commission. Full definition of EURid subsidy brings it down to EUR 700.

.de

DENIC has no out-of-court procedure: in its view, German courts are fast and moderately priced, and the loser pays. A claimant goes to court and can ask DENIC for a DISPUTE entry A DENIC measure that stops a disputed .de domain from being transferred to someone else. Full definition of DISPUTE entry. The holder can still use the name but not transfer it; if the holder deletes it, the claimant becomes the holder. The entry lasts one year, can be extended while the dispute continues, and is free as of October 2026.

.au

Only Australian registrant The person or organization that holds a domain name registration. Full definition of registrant may hold .au names. The auDRP .au Dispute Resolution Policy The dispute policy for .au domain names, a broader version of the UDRP. Full definition of auDRP orders cancellation or transfer, the latter only to a complainant who meets the .au rules. As of October 2026, WIPO charges 2,000 Australian dollars (AUD) for one to five names with one panelist and AUD 4,500 with three.

.mx

The LDRP The dispute policy for .mx domain names, a variation of the UDRP. Full definition of LDRP runs at WIPO in Spanish.

How to choose the right procedure

The TLD decides the procedure, not the complainant: a .es name goes to the .es procedure, a .eu name to ADR (.eu) Alternative Dispute Resolution The out-of-court dispute procedure for .eu domain names. Full definition of ADR (.eu), a .de name to court. What is left to choose is the provider (.eu: CAC or WIPO; .es: several accredited providers) or, for .fr, the procedure; courts stay open everywhere. Rules change: check the current text with the registry, the provider or a lawyer.

Example: .es compared with .eu

A company established in Spain owns the Spanish trademark EXAMPLE. A stranger has registered the same name under .es and under .eu.

.es. The holder must take part. As of October 2026, the company picks one of four accredited providers and pays EUR 1,400. One expert decides, in Spanish, in about two months on average. The company must show its trademark, that the holder has no rights or legitimate interests, and bad faith in registration or use.
.eu. The company files with CAC or WIPO (EUR 700 at WIPO in 2026). It must show its trademark and only one condition: no rights or legitimate interests, or bad faith. Being established in the EU, it can get a transfer.

On the merits, .eu is easier: one condition instead of two.

ccTLD dispute policy