More cases decided, including some involving hundreds of domains.

The number of UDRP decisions in the first quarter of this year was up 15% from the same quarter a year ago, according to GigaLaw’s Domain Dispute Digest. In the quarter, the five UDRP providers decided 2,231 cases.

GigaLaw’s Doug Isenberg chalks the increase up to several factors:

…a rise in the number of domain name registrations; the ongoing ease with which cybersquatters can engage in their activities, along with few deterrents; growing awareness of domain name disputes in general; and the continued effectiveness of the UDRP itself.

A more surprising statistic is that the number of domains involved in decisions was up 42% year over year, but that can be attributed to two large cases.

Twenty-four cases, or about 1%, resulted in findings of reverse domain name hijacking.

Philip Morris was the most active complainant, with 31 cases decided.