WIPO’s new fee structure creates privacy disclosure risk for domain registrants

11.03.2026

On 9 March 2026, WIPO announced updates to its UDRP fee schedule. One change, presented as an administrative convenience, has a consequence that warrants close attention from registrants, privacy service providers, and domain owners alike.

How It Works

When a UDRP complaint is filed, WIPO obtains registrant data from the registrar, including the identity behind any privacy or proxy service, and provides it to the complainant. The complainant may then file an amended complaint once it knows who is behind the registration. Under the new fee schedule, if the complainant withdraws before the case is formally notified to the respondent, WIPO retains only USD 100 for cases involving up to five domain names, reduced from the prior USD 500.

The Unintended Consequence

At USD 100 per filing, the cost of obtaining registrant data works out to approximately USD 20 per domain. Critically, there is no requirement that the complaint be well-founded, and no verification that the complainant holds the trademark rights it claims. A party can file a skeletal complaint, receive the registrant data, withdraw, and pay USD 100 net.

This creates a low-cost discovery mechanism available to anyone, not only legitimate trademark holders. Domain brokers, investors, competitors, and others with no genuine IP claim can use a UDRP filing to bypass privacy services at minimal cost. More concerning, the same tool can be used to unmask the operators of gripe sites, whistleblower publications, or anonymous journalism.

What This Means in Practice

Registrants who rely on privacy services for legitimate reasons, whether for personal safety, commercial confidentiality, or editorial independence, should be aware that a UDRP filing can now be used as an inexpensive identity disclosure tool, regardless of whether a full proceeding was ever intended.

REVERA’s Arbitration & IT Disputes practice advises both complainants and respondents in UDRP proceedings before WIPO and other providers. If you have questions about the new rules or wish to assess your exposure, our team is ready to assist.
 

Authors: Kamal Tserakhau, Aliaksandr Struzhko, Hleb Shumilau.