Org IDN Launch Date 23 January 2010

On 23 January 2010 Chinese Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Chinese IDNs registered between 23 January 2010 and 22 February 2010 (during the first 30 days of operation) will be locked until 25 March 2010 to allow intellectual property interests to file UDRP actions if warranted. During this period no changes can be made to the domain name.

Trade mark owners are encouraged to register their Chinese character trade marks within the .org TLD at the first available opportunity and to police infringing registrations during the lockdown period.

Contact Lexsynergy should you need any assistance: www.lexsynergy.tel

Kenyan Domain Name Developments

On 28 December 2009 the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC) launched three low priced Second Level Domains (SLDs).

The three are .me.ke for use of personal names, .info.ke for information, and .mobi.ke for mobile content.

Lexsynergy is an accredited .ke registrar.

Beware of Chinese scam emails!

During August 2008 we posted information on our website warning our clients and trade mark owners about Chinese scam emails.

Due to the risk that these scams pose we feel it is necessary to re-post and update the news article below.

A few of our clients have received emails from Chinese domain name vendors stating that a third party intends to register their trade mark as a domain name under various Top Level Domain (TLD) extensions. We insert below a sample of the email received, we have replaced the trade mark with XXX.

Dear CEO,

We are a domain name registration service company in asia, which mainly deal with international company's in Asia. We have something important need to confirm with your company.

On the May 22, 2008, we received an application formally. One company named "Tambora International Holdings Ltd" wanted to register following Domain names:
XXX.asia
XXX.cc
XXX.cn
XXX.com.hk

After our initial examination, we found that the keywords and domain names applied for registration are as same as your company's name and trademark. These days we are dealing with it. If you do not know this company, we doubt that they have other aims to buy these domain names. Now we have not finished the registration of Tambora company yet, in order to deal with this issue better, Please contact us by telephone or email as soon as possible.

Best Regards,

Sherry
Auditing Department

This form of email communication is a scam and is intended to frighten trade mark owners into registering domain names with the company that originated the email at an inflated price. The domain names mentioned in these scams are usually registered on a “first come, first served” basis so there is no reason to report such a risk to a trade mark owner.

If the trade mark owner responds the scammer usually registers the domain names, under its own name, as the response indicates that the domain names are of value and have the potential to generate income for the scammer. The trade mark owner is then in a predicament, "Do they buy a domain name back or institute legal action for a domain name they never wanted?"

If you receive such an email it is advisable to ignore it. If the email includes a domain name that you may want to secure rather register it through your own provider or at www.lexsynergy.com.

.CN Domain Names - Change in registration policy

CNNIC (.cn registry) has been compelled by the Chinese Government to implement stricter requirements to register .cn domain names.

Registrants are now required to provide supporting documentation for domain names registered after 14 December 2009. The required documents are:

• an original application form of CCNIC stamped with the business seal of the registrant; and
• a company certificate (copy); and
• an identity document of the person signing on behalf of the registrant (copy).

After applying for a .cn domain name through Lexsynergy we will prepare and send you the original application form, which must be returned with the other documents mentioned above within 5 days of making the application. If the documents are not received within that period or are incorrect the domain name will be deleted. All the documents must be sent via pdf to domain@lexsynergy.com.

Domain names registered prior to 14 December 2009 are not affected by this change. Individuals can also no longer register .cn domain names.

If you have any questions please email domains@lexsynergy.com.

Lexsynergy on facebook

We recently added a Lexsynergy Limited profile on facebook. We encourage our readers to visit our page and become a member.

WIPO Center Launches Paperless UDRP

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) has launched a paperless UDRP option. This will reduce the time and costs associated with the preparation and filing of hard copy complaints.

In addition trade mark owners will be contributing towards saving the environment while protecting their trade marks.

For more information visit http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/rules/eudrp/.

.DO - Dominican Republic - Do Register a .Do

.do is the Top Level Domain (TLD) of the Dominican Republic (an Island in the Caribbean). Nic.do (.do registry) now allows the registration of second level domains.

Registrations opened on 10 December 2009. This TLD will play an important role in the domain name and branding industry because it constitutes a word in several languages. In English there are endless branding opportunities such as please.do, how-do-you.do and hair.do.

From a trade mark perspective it is important to secure your trade marks under this TLD to avoid them being targeted by cybersquatters. Email domains@lexsynergy.com for more information on registering .do domain names. Visit www.lexsynergy.tel for more contact information.

Metropolitan Police Computer e-Crime Unit domain name take down activity

This week Nominet received an instruction from the Metropolitan Police's Central e-Crime Unit (PCeU) to take down around 1200 .co.uk domain names. These domain names have been under investigation for criminal activity.

As part of Operation Papworth, the PCeU have targeted web sites run by organised criminal networks that purported to sell designer items - clothes, jewellery and electronic goods. Many of the sites involved supplied counterfeit goods or in some cases simply failed to supply any goods to the consumers who placed orders.

This is a positive note for consumers and brand owners.