Register dotAfrica domains to protect brands

20 Feb 2014

It is said that many brands have been burnt in the past by not thinking ahead and registering domains that could be of value to them in their digital marketing strategies.

With the advent of dotAfrica domains, it is critical that brand managers be aware of the value of their virtual real estate, or web domain and register with ZA Central Registry.

Register dotAfrica domains to protect brands

Launch in May

Neil Dundas, COO ZA Central Registry, says that the organisation is gearing up for the launch of the dotAfrica domain to be launched in May and stresses that brand managers need to be aware of the launch to secure their domains, as they become available.

At present, government's across the continent are reserving dotAfrica domains for their countries, but following this process, major international brands will be able to apply for their share of the African Internet space.

Brand managers that wish to take advantage of the priority rights registration mechanism must make use of the global Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH), or the local Mark Validation System (MVS), which is an alternative service operated by the ZA Central Registry.

Apply for dotAfrica domain

Once a mark has been submitted for validation into the MVS, the mark holder will automatically be notified of the commencement of the dotAfrica Sunrise Phase, and will be able to apply for a dotAfrica domain name corresponding to any word mark validated by either the TMCH or MVS.

While dispute resolution exists for brands that believe that domains registered by rival companies infringe on the protection of their brand, it is most certainly easier to avoid the resolution process, advises Dundas.

For more, go to www.dotafrica.org.