Your (un)fair advantage

New Australian domain name Policy
27/04/2001

The Name Policy Advisory Panel has proposed amendments to the Australian domain name policy. If introduced, these changes will herald a major improvement of the domain name system in Australia, from the perspective of trade mark owners.

The proposed amendments include a provision to allow trade mark proprietors to register and own more than one domain name and the introduction of a dispute resolution procedure along the lines of the ICANN Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy.

At the moment, only company names can be used to apply for a .com.au domain name. An amendment is proposed that will allow for the registration of a trade mark as a .com.au domain name. This will apply to both trade mark applications and registrations.

The Panel delivered its final recommendations in April 2001 and it is likely that changes to the domain name policy will be implemented during the second half of 2001.
  Featured Act Electronic Communications & Transactions Act
To provide for the facilitation and regulation of electronic communications and transactions; to provide for the development of a national e-strategy for the Republic; to promote universal access to electronic communications and transactions and the use of electronic transactions by small, medium and micro enterprises; to provide for human resource development in electronic transactions; to prevent abuse of information systems; to encourage the use of e-government services; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Download act 		  Featured Case Law Mars Inc Cadbury (Swaziland)(Pty) Limited & another 2000 (4) SA (SCA)
Section 42 of the old Act provided that, after the expiration of seven years from the date of entry onto the register, that the registration is take to be valid in all respects and that mark could therefore not be attacked on grounds relating to the marks original registration. 		  Featured person Featured person
Laurika van Deventer
Associate
Attorney
Tel: +27 (0) 12 432 6194
Email me 		 

View programme


Login screen

The firm practises directly in several Southern African countries and through long-established associates in others.