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When Yorkshireman, Wayne Stephenson, registered the web domain name ‘ilovealdi.co.uk’, he claimed to be a genuine fan of shopping at the budget supermarket chain.
But the German giant came down hard on Mr Stephenson, of Osmotherley, who has now been ordered to hand over his cherished internet real estate.
Internet watchdog, Nominet, said he was probably ‘seeking to take unfair advantage’ of Aldi’s ever-growing reputation with British shoppers to make a profit for himself.
Aldi Stores Limited complained after Mr Stephenson, of North End, Osmotherley, registered the contentious domain name in November 2013.
“I genuinely love shopping at Aldi”, said Mr Stephenson, who explained that he planned to create an online forum in which Aldi lovers could express their praise.
Expressing confusion at having angered Aldi, he told Nominent: “I could understand it if I had registered www.ihatealdi.co.uk ”.
He added: “I am also scared. I don’t want to end up in court because I love Aldi”.
However, Aldi pointed out that it has jealously guarded rights in its name and that Mr Stephenson’s domain had in the past ‘pointed’ to a site offering groceries for sale.
The supermarket chain was also concerned that web browsers looking for an online Aldi store might be misled.
Nominet expert, David Taylor, said it was “more likely” that Mr Stephenson’s “primary motivation” was to profit from the Aldi name for his own financial gain.
The “ilovealdi” domain name was likely to confuse punters into believing that it was in some way connected to, or authorised by, Aldi.
Mr Taylor concluded: “I find that the domain name has been used in a manner which has taken unfair advantage or, or has been unfairly detrimental, to Aldi’s rights.
“Mr Stephenson claims to have registered the domain name because he genuinely loves shopping at Aldi.
“However, the evidence submitted by Aldi, showing that he was using the domain name for an online shopping (site), does not support his claim.
“It rather demonstrates that Mr Stephenson was simply seeking to take unfair advantage of Aldi’s rights”.
The expert ruled that the domain name was an “abusive registration” in Mr Stephenson’s hands and ordered its transfer to Aldi Stores Limited.
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