DIAL-A-CAB WIN IN THE HIGH COURT

Dial a Cab, one of London’s leading ‘Black Cab’ radio taxi companies, have recently been sued by Radio Taxis London Ltd in a dispute concerning a domain name (radiotaxis.com).

Initially, Dial a Cab (DaC) purchased the domain name in 1997 because they felt there was a tremendous future in e-commerce, this was one of several domain names that they purchased and was linked to their main web site (dialacab.co.uk).
Some two and a half years after Dial a Cab first purchased radiotaxis.com one of their competitors, Radio Taxis London (RTL) demanded that DaC transfer the domain name to them. DaC refused but was willing to negotiate or indeed go to arbitration, RTL declined, deciding instead to seek litigation.

The case, which took place in July and lasted four days was heard at the Courts of Justice in the Strand, and the Judge returned his verdict on Friday 12th October. The Judge found in favour of DaC and deemed DaC to be the rightful owners of the domain name ‘radiotaxis.com’, he also instructed that RTL should pay 90% of DaC’s costs, which amounts to £90,000 in addition to their own costs.

Brian Rice Chairman of DaC commented: ‘Dial a Cab are delighted to have won the case but take no pleasure in the fact that nearly £250,000 has been diverted away from the licensed taxi trade. What is especially disheartening is the fact that Dial a Cab were always prepared to negotiate a settlement, including going to arbitration. However, RTL chose instead to continue with litigation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian Rice
020 7553 7202
07770 997998