Saudi Arabia Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs)

SaudiNIC, the registry responsible for the administration of the Saudi Arabia country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) .SA recently announced the launch of the Arabic IDN السعودية.

Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) are domain names that contain characters which
are used in the local representation of languages that contain characters other than from the Latin alphabet such as the Swedish å and the German ü.

Example: The domain name Bücher.at would then be translated into xn--bcher-kva.at.

In the Arabic context the .SA extension is written as السعودية. and then translated into xn--mgberp4a5d4ar.

The extension will be launched in two phases:

Sunrise Phase
(31 May - 12 July 2010)

Applications will be accepted from any entity or individual who has a registered company name or trade mark with the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Saudi Arabia, including all governmental authorities and organizations.

The domain name application must correspond to the Arabic name or mark (without alteration, abbreviation, or translation) as they appear in the commercial registration or trade mark registration certificate.

If more than one application is received from different qualified applicants for the same domain name, that meet the requirements, priority will be given to applications from governmental entities. Otherwise, priority will be given to the applicant of earliest right based on the submitted documentation (e.g., commercial certificate, trade mark certificate date).

Landrush Phase
(27 September 2010 onwards)
Applications will be accepted from members of the general public on a first come, first served
basis.

General Rules
The registrant must fall under one of the following categories:
1. An entity physically located in Saudi Arabia;
2. A natural person, not underage, with a Saudi national identification card or equivalent document issued by the Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia;
3. An entity with a registration or license issued by a pertinent authority in Saudi Arabia;
4. An owner of a trade mark or trade name that is registered in Saudi Arabia.

The administrative contact should be a natural person based in Saudi Arabia.

SaudiNIC may, at any time, request additional information and documentations from the Registrant.

Additional Information
The domain name should contain at least 3 symbols and should not start or end with a dash “-“ or have two consecutive dashes.
Each domain name should have some reasonable relationship to the Registrant.
SaudiNIC shall determine what a reasonable relationship is and what documentation is required to show reasonableness.

Application Procedure
All requests for a Saudi Arabia IDN or general queries relating to IDNs should be emailed to our Domain Name Department (domains@lexsynergy.com).
We are also contactable at +44 20 81331319 or visit www.lexsynergy.tel.