WIPO introduces one-month fast-track for domain disputes: what brand owners should know

On 9 March 2026, WIPO announced two significant updates to its UDRP case administration: a new expedited processing option for urgent complaints, and revised fees for cases terminated prior to formal notification.

1. Expedited Case Processing

WIPO is introducing a priority service under which a dedicated team and a special roster of panelists will handle urgent UDRP complaints, with a commitment to deliver a decision within one month from start to finish.

Key conditions:

• No request for a three-member panel by the respondent
• Timely fee payment (credit card or WIPO Current Account recommended)
• Prompt responses from the filing party to WIPO notifications
• Applies to UDRP cases and to ccTLDs that have adopted the UDRP
• Fee: USD 4,000 for 1 to 5 domain names (USD 1,000 to WIPO; USD 3,000 to the panel)

This service is designed for cases where every day matters. It does not replace standard UDRP processing, which will continue to be used in the vast majority of cases.

2. Revised Fees for Early Case Termination

When a complainant withdraws a complaint before the case is formally notified to the respondent, WIPO will now retain only USD 100 (for cases involving 1 to 5 domain names). The prior fee of USD 500 continues to apply where termination occurs after formal notification.

This change is relevant where the registrant behind a privacy shield turns out to be a licensee of the complainant, or where the revealed registrant identity demonstrates a legitimate interest that could not have been known at the time of filing.

What This Means for Brand Owners

For brand owners dealing with urgent cybersquatting or impersonation cases, the expedited track offers a meaningful alternative to combining a URS suspension with a subsequent UDRP complaint. A single proceeding can now deliver a transfer or cancellation decision in approximately one month, reducing both cost and complexity. The reduced early termination fee also lowers the financial risk of filing in cases where the true registrant identity is unknown at the time of the complaint.

The Arbitration & IT Disputes practice of REVERA law group has extensive experience in domain name dispute resolution, including UDRP proceedings before WIPO and other providers. We regularly advise brand owners on strategy, filing, and enforcement across jurisdictions. 

If you are facing an urgent cybersquatting or impersonation case, REVERA’s Arbitration & IT Disputes team can help assess whether the new fast-track procedure is the right strategy.

Author: Aliaksandr Struzhko, Hleb Shumilau.