IP Bite Register a new au domain name from 24 March 2022
14 December 2021
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On 24 March 2022, auDA will release the new ".au" direct namespace, permitting Australians to register shorter, more memorable ".au" domain names (e.g. "yourcompany.au").
Individuals, businesses, and organisations will be able to register a new ".au" domain name if they have an Australian presence, such as holding Australian citizenship or permanent residency, or being an organisation which is registered in Australia. Unlike other namespaces such as ".com.au" and "org.au", there are no other eligibility criteria in respect of the individual, business or organisation.
The domain name must:
From 24 March 2022 to 24 September 2022 (the Priority Allocation Period), existing holders of an Australian domain name, including ".com.au", ".org.au" and ".net.au" domain names, will have priority to register for the corresponding ".au" name through an accredited auDA registrar. Once the Priority Allocation Period ends, all ".au" names will be registered on a first come, first served basis.
In some cases, more than one registrant may be eligible to apply for priority status for the same ".au" domain name, such as where Registrant A owns "yourcompany.com.au", and Registrant B own "yourcompany.net.au".
In such cases, the applicants' priority status is determined on the following basis:
Authors: Stuart D'Aloisio, Partner; and Tal Maman, Lawyer.
The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to.
Readers should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.
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