.AFRICA domain names to be introduced by year end

News release from Werksmans Attorneys
8 July 2013

.AFRICA domain names to be introduced by year end

The .africa domain name is expected to launch towards the end of 2013, making it possible for businesses and other organisations to register domain names ending in .africa for the first time.

Donvay Wegierski, director of Werksmans Attorneys and member of its Intellectual Property practice in Stellenbosch, said thatthe .africa domain was created “by Africans for Africans” and marked Africa’s strides in growth and development.

“It will present an opportunity to identify the African continent online for the first time. We expect many exisiting and new companies across the continent to to take up the .africa domain to show to the world where they are from.”

The procedure to register .africa domain names is yet to be formally disclosed.

However the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (“ICANN”) is the coordinator of the launch of the new domain names.

“We expect the .africa domain to launch in two phases – first the Sunrise phase and second the Landrush phase,” Wegierski added.

During the Sunrise phase, trade mark owners have priority to register .africa domains incorporating their trade marks for a certain period of time.

“It is for this reason that trade mark owners should validate their trade marks at the TradeMark Clearinghouse (TMCH) as only trade mark owners with TMCH validation can take advantage of the Sunrise period,“ Wegierski advised.

It is only possible for the TMCH to only validate registered trade marks and therefore only proprietors of registered trade marks will have preference.
The Landrush phase will open thereafter and domains can be registered on a first-come-first-serve basis. The .africa registry will be managed by UniForum SA, trading as ZA Central Registry (ZACR).

UniForum SA was established as a non-profit organisation in 1988 as a professional association to promote and exchange information on open systems. They are the registry operator for the co.za domain names.

Annual registration costs are expected to be reasonable.

She added that .africa is exciting prospect for businesses and individuals affiliated with Africa to identify themselves in a global audience.

Wegierksi said that although the percentage of internet users in Africa is comparatively low compared to other continents, efforts are being made to improve access to the internet in Africa. And improved access will translate into better prospects for Africa’s economic, social and political future.

Said Wegierski: “Internet access is particularly important in emerging economies as it helps bridge divides such as language, culture, religion and education across countries and continents. “

END

About Werksmans Attorneys
Established in the early 1900s, Werksmans Attorneys is a leading South African corporate and commercial law firm serving multinationals, listed companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and government.
Operating in Gauteng and the Western Cape, and connected to an extensive African legal network through LEX Africa, the firm’s reputation is built on the combined experience of Werksmans and Jan S. de Villiers, which merged in 2009.
LEX Africa was established in 1993 as the first and largest African legal network and offers huge potential for Werksmans’ clients as it provides a gateway to Africa to companies seeking to do business on the continent. Each LEX Africa member firm specialises in corporate and commercial law and dispute resolution combined with intimate knowledge of the local customs, business practices, cultures and languages of each country.
With a formidable track record in mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, and commercial litigation and dispute resolution, Werksmans is distinguished by the people, clients and work that it attracts and retains.
Werksmans’ lawyers are a powerful team of independent-minded individuals who share a common service ethos. The firm’s success is built on a solid foundation of insightful and innovative deal structuring and legal advice, a keen ability to understand business and economic imperatives and a strong focus on achieving the best legal outcome for clients.

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Author: Grant Henry from Communications Advisory. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.