By S&S Co. Advocates & Solicitors · Published 28 September 2026 · Informational content, not legal advice: see our disclaimer
Overview
A practical guide for trademark owners and domain registrants on filing or defending an INDRP complaint against cybersquatting or bad-faith .in domain registrations.
What You Need to Know
- Legal basis: NIXI's .IN Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (INDRP), modelled on ICANN's UDRP
- Three elements a complainant must prove: identical/confusingly similar mark, no rights or legitimate interest of the registrant, registration or use in bad faith
- Procedure: complaint to the .IN Registry, forwarded to respondent within 3 working days, arbitrator appointed by NIXI within 5 days
- Timeline: arbitrator must render an award within 60 days of commencement, extendable by up to 30 days by reasoned order
- Remedies: cancellation or transfer of the domain name; governed procedurally by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
- How this differs from a trademark infringement suit in civil court, and when to use each
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a complainant prove to win an INDRP complaint?
That the disputed domain is identical or confusingly similar to its mark, that the registrant has no rights or legitimate interest in it, and that it was registered or is being used in bad faith.
How quickly does an INDRP case move compared to a civil suit?
An arbitrator must render an award within 60 days of commencement, extendable by up to 30 days by reasoned order: far faster than a typical trademark infringement suit.
What remedy does a successful INDRP complaint actually get you?
Cancellation or transfer of the domain name: the proceeding is procedurally governed by the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, but doesn't award damages the way a civil suit can.
References & Further Reading
This guide references the following statutes, rules and sources, cross-checked at the time of writing.
- INDRP timelines (3 working days forwarding, 5 days arbitrator appointment, 60+30 day award window): confirmed via registry.in, ssrana.in, thelaw.institute
- INDRP proceedings conducted under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 framework: confirmed via multiple sources
- See also our Intellectual Property Notable Judgments and Legal Updates: Intellectual Property archive.