The Complaints Board for Domain Names is an independent Complaints Board that can hear disputes between registrants and third parties concerning registration and use of domain names under the Danish .dk domain as well as complaints about decisions made by DIFO/Punktum dk (formerly DK Hostmaster) about compliance with the stipulated terms and conditions of business (”Terms and conditions for the right of use to a.dk domain name”). 

The Complaints Board for Domain Names is appointed by the Minister for Business and Growth in accordance with the Danish Act no. 598 of 24 June 2005 on Internet Domains Specifically Allocated to Denmark (the 2005 Domain Names Act). The Complaints Board acts independently of DIFO/Punktum dk (formerly DK Hostmaster) and the minister. 

With effect from 1 March 2014, the 2005 Domain Names Act has been repealed and replaced by the Danish Act no. 164 of 26 February 2014 on Internet Domains (the 2014 Domain Names Act). The members of the Complaints Board who have been appointed by the minister pursuant to the 2005 Domain Names Act will continue until the expiry of the period for which they have been appointed, cf. the 2014 Domain Names Act, Section 47(8). 

In accordance with the 2014 Domain Names Act, Section 29, the Complaints Board for Domain Names has stipulated rules for its business and case administration as well as rules of procedure. You can find all the applicable rules for the Complaints Board under menu item ”RULES”. 

The Board's area of competence

The Complaints Board is competent to deal with disputes between registrants and third parties concerning registration and use of domain names under the Danish .dk domain. The Complaints Board is also competent to deal with complaints about DIFO/Punktum dk's (formerly DK Hostmaster) decisions about compliance with the stipulated terms and conditions of business (”Terms and conditions for the right of use to a.dk domain name”). 
A complaint can be submitted by any person who has a sufficient interest in the outcome of the case. The chairman of the Complaints Board decides whether the complainant has a sufficient interest. 
The Complaints Board decides whether the registration of a domain name is to be maintained, deleted, suspended or transferred to the complainant or to a natural or legal person appointed by the complainant. 
In addition, the Complaints Board can confirm, cancel, change or refer back a decision made by DIFO/Punktum dk (formerly DK Hostmaster) about compliance with the terms and conditions of business (”Terms and conditions for the right of use to a.dk domain name”). 
The Complaints Board cannot decide on any payment of damages, remuneration or compensation. 

Composition of the Board

The Complaints Board comprises one chairman and one vice-chairman who must be judges, two members with theoretical and practical expertise in law as well as two members representing consumer and commercial interests, respectively. Substitutes for each of the two members with expertise in law and for the consumer and commercial representatives have also been appointed. 

In the Complaints Board's handling of cases, the chairman or the vice-chairman will take part as well as the two members with expertise in law. In cases involving non-commercial use of domain names and in cases of fundamental importance, also the representatives for consumer and commercial interests will take part. The chairman of the Complaints Board decides when a matter is involving a non-commercial use of domain names and when a matter is of fundamental importance.  

Board members

Chairman and vice-chairman

• Kaspar Linkis, High Court Judge (chairman)
• Jacob Waage, High Court Judge (vice-chairman)

Members with theoretical and practical expertise

• Jens Schovsbo, Professor, Doctor of Laws (The Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen)
• Knud Wallberg, Attorney at Law, European Trademark Attorney, ph.d.  

Substitutes with theoretical and practical expertise:

• Birgit Liin, Professor, PhD (Department of Law, University of Aarhus)
• Lisbet Andersen, Attorney 

Consumer representative and his/her substitute

• Ulla Malling, Forbrugerrådet Tænk (the Danish Consumer Council)
• Christian Schmidt (substitute) 

Commercial representative and his/her substitute

• Mette M. Andersen, LEGO Juris A/S
• Lotte Bendstrup, COO, team.blue Danmark (substitute) 

Secretariat

Secretaries

• Thomas Riis
• Morten Schaumburg-Müller
• Iben Gjessing

Head of Secretariat

• Thomas Riis