Sunrise period for new .tel domain names commences
9/12/2008

A sunrise period commenced on 3 December 2008 for trade mark owners for the registration of .tel domain names, the new top level domain that will shortly become operational and is expected to be popular with both business and individuals. The purpose of the sunrise period is to prevent cybersquatters from taking advantage of established rights and to afford trade mark owners the opportunity to capitalize on their brands.

In contrast to other existing domain levels, the .tel domain allows the proprietors of the domain names to manage their contact and other business information directly in the DNS, without the need for a website. Because of the simplicity of its functioning, the .tel domain is expected to revolutionize internet marketing and function like the “telephone directory” of the internet.

New .tel domain names will be allocated on a first come, first served basis amongst trade mark owners. Businesses that may wish to secure a .tel domain name may therefore be left in the cold unless they act quickly. When the sunrise period terminates on 2 February 2009, the .tel domain will become available to non-trade mark owners at a premium until 23 March 2009, whereafter registration will become available at a regular tariff.
For further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Alan Smith
Partner
Adams & Adams
ajs@adamsadams.co.za