A WARRINGTON entrepeneur has won an internet copyright battle with budget airline Easyjet after it accused him of 'cybersquatting'.

Businessman Tim Holt was the first to register the internet domain name www.easy-jet.com for his business, from which he sold refills for inkjet printer cartridges.

In May, Easyjet filed a complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), alleging that Mr Holt had registered a famous name in the hope of making quick profits.

But a WIPO panel said that although the internet address was confusingly similar to Easyjet's trademark, Mr Holt was in a different kind of business. It said the no-frills airline had failed to prove that he was using the name in bad faith or had no legitimate interest in it.

The panel concluded: "There is nothing to suggest that the domain name was registered with any intention to disrupt the business of Easyjet."

The landmark ruling by the Geneva-based United Nations agency cleared Mr Holt of the allegations and upheld his rights to use the name.

WIPO's arbitration service allows firms and individuals to avoid costly lawsuits in cases when serious money is at stake.

Mr Holt was unavailable for comment as the GUARDIAN went to press.

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