KENIC “dashes” cybersquatting activities in Kenya

KENIC, Kenya’s domain name registry, has implemented a precautionary measure that prohibits the registration of a domain name with a dash or hyphen if a version of the domain name has already been registered without a hyphen. The same applies if a domain name is first registered with a hyphen, the unhyphenated version will be blocked.

Example:

The registration of domainnames.co.ke will block the registration of domain-names.co.ke, likewise the registration of domain-names.co.ke will block the registration of domainnames.co.ke.

The intention behind this system is to curb cybersquatting in addition to saving legitimate registrants the costs of registering different versions of their domain name.

To view the Kenyan whois database visit www.domainnames.co.ke.