Introduction to the ECP and RRECT

WIPO recognises that, in some cases, parties may want an expedited decision much like: “overnight shipping or airport priority queues”^[3]. The main features of the ECP include a) a quicker turnaround of the case (reducing to 1 month from start to finish compared to the standard 2-3 months) and b) that the expedited process will be managed by a dedicated team. The ECP will not be suitable for cases with contingencies such as cases involving 3 member panels and will not be applicable if the complainant does not pay the fees quickly. A big consideration for brand owners is that the ECP is looking to charge $4,000 (broken down as $1,000 to WIPO and $3,000 to the panel). This is a big increase from the $1,500 for 1-5 domain names as seen in the standard process.

The RRECT will provide brand owners with a bigger refund if terminated before the case formally commences. The new changes will mean WIPO will keep $100 but the brand owner will keep $1,400 (instead of $1,000). 

Practical impact on UDRP filings

ECP

The ECP, whilst useful in that it allows for a quicker decision, does require compliance from all parties involved to succeed (e.g., the complainant, respondent, registrar and WIPO). With more parties, there is less certainty that WIPO can stick to a 1-month deadline, so it will be interesting to see if the strict timeframe is adhered to. 

Arguably the biggest consideration for brand owners is going to be the substantial price increase from $1,500 to $4,000; a significant increase and given that it could only make a difference of 1-2 months, it is questionable whether it is actually worth the money. Indeed, WIPO’s announcement has prompted rival providers to passively challenge the need for and efficacy of the ECP.

RRECT

From a practical perspective, the reduced fee is perhaps the most welcome update out of the two, given that it is increasingly difficult for brand owners to know who the respondent is before filing the complaint (as a result of the May 2018 Whois blackout). The RRECT essentially offers a way to access some Whois data for $20 per domain (if a five-domain complaint is filed).

Possible inspiration from other domain dispute providers

Fees

One of the biggest concerns for brand owners is likely to be the fee associated with the ECP. Therefore, it would be more of an incentive to brand owners if WIPO offered a cheaper filing fee in addition to the ECP, where overall costs would be lower (see in comparison the Czech Arbitration Court^[4] and National Arbitration Forum fees^[5]).

Nominet’s Domain Resolution Service (“DRS”)

Although the increased RRECT refund ($1,400 vs $1,000) is a meaningful improvement, WIPO could go further by offering a free disclosure request (as Nominet does) so brand owners can identify and contact the registrant before filing. That would be particularly valuable in a post-GDPR environment where registrant details are often obscured, and it may prevent unnecessary complaints (and fees) where the issue can be resolved by pre-action correspondence. 

WIPO could also consider a free pre-filing mediation option and a lower-cost, streamlined “summary decision” route (similar to Nominet’s DRS) for straightforward cases where a short-form outcome would be sufficient for cost-conscious complainants.

Conclusion 

Time will tell whether the ECP is actually utilised given the substantial cost increase, but on the positive side, the reduced fee is very welcome news to brand owners and will likely see significant costs saved post privacy shield reveal but pre case commencement. 

Whilst WIPO could do more, it is clear they are taking active steps to help on fees and expedited filings, so we will likely see more progressive changes with WIPO’s UDRP in the future.

^[1] https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/news/2026/news_0005.html

^[2] https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/news/2026/news_0004.html

^[3] https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/news/2026/news_0004.html

^[4] https://udrp.adr.eu/fees - 800 EUR for a complaint with 1-5 domain names

^[5] https://www.adrforum.com/assets/resources/domain/udrp/UDRP%20Fee%20Schedule%20Final.pdf - $1,330 for a complaint with 1-5 domain names