First internationalised domain name ccTLDs introduced
17/06/2010

The first Internationalised Domain Name (IDN) country-code top-level domain names in the DNS root zone have been introduced by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The first four countries to use non-Latin/Roman characters are:
Egypt . مصر
Russian Federation .РФ
Saudi Arabia . السعودية
United Arab Emirates . امارات
A total of 21 applications representing 11 languages have been received by ICANN, This will allow brand owners and users to use their primary language for the entire domain name and, therefore, market their goods and services more effectively in their own country or territory. This may, unfortunately, give rise to more infringement of domain name registrations by cybersquatters.

Registration is as follows:
Russian Federation: • Sunrise applications for owners of trade names, geographical indications of goods, origin, mass media and non-profit organisations: 15 July 2010 • Public registration: 1 October 2010 Saudi Arabia • Sunrise applications for trade mark owners: 12 July 2010
• Public registration: 27 September 2010
United Arab Emirates • Applications from trade mark owners in the UAE and other Arab countries (trade marks accepted in either Latin or Arabic characters): 27 September to 22 October 2010 • Registration of “Distinguished names”: 15 November 2010 • Public registration: 11 December 2010 Egypt
Still to be announced

If you require any further information, please contact our Domains Department.

Steven Yeates
Partner
steven-y@adamsadams.co.za