ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has set up a Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. Domain disputes result from trademark-based domain-name disputes involving an established brand name and a person or entity that has registered a domain name in the same name as the trademarked brand.
Under the policy, most types of trademark-based domain-name disputes must be resolved by agreement, court action, or arbitration before a registrar will cancel, suspend or transfer a domain name.
Disputes alleged to arise from abusive registrations of domain names (for example, cybersquatting) may be addressed by expedited administrative proceedings that the holder of trademark rights initiates by filing a complaint with an approved dispute-resolution service provider. (Taken from http://www.icann.org/udrp/udrp.htm )
Why are there so many domain name disputes? There is virtually no way for an organization to pre-screen the filing of potentially problematic names. The very obvious would be one thing but the more obscure, impossible. Because of the increased business value of domain names the incidents of cybersquatting increase, which then leads to more domain name dispute cases and the businesses whose names have been used in bad faith must fight back.
If you have become a party to a domain name dispute you can avail yourself of the services of resolution provider or an attorney to help you through the maze of legal red tape.