Trademarks and Domain Names – Africa

Registration

In South Africa, domain names can be registered in a number of name spaces, of which the name space .co.za for commercial names is the most widely used.

For further information regarding the registration of domain names in the co.za name space, please contact us.

Domain name objections

The existing policy of the administrators of the .co.za name space does not make provision for domain name objections, similar to the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) procedure of the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

It is accordingly necessary for any trade mark proprietor who wishes to object to a domain name to rely on either its statutory or common law trade mark rights. Proceedings will be instituted in the High Court of South Africa, in the relevant division which has jurisdiction. For further information regarding trade mark infringement and passing off, click here and for High Court proceedings, click here..
Electronic Communications Act ICANN Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy