dotAfrica Launch Policies

 

The .africa TLD will be launched in two phases, namely: Sunrise and Landrush.

Sunrise

During the Sunrise Phase, trade mark rights will be given priority for application. Trade marks will be validated in a pre-launch phase where names are placed into either the Trademark Clearing House (TMCH) {ICANN prescribed process} or the Mark Validation System (ZACR process modeled on the TMCH) or both.

At Sunrise, the trade mark holder will request the delegation of a domain name corresponding to their validated trade mark. The registry database would then validate the applied for domain name with both the TMCH and/or the MVS. All validated applications will then be queued in order of priority (African trade marks receiving top priority) and at the end of the Sunrise process all uncontested applications will be delegated, whilst contested delegations (two or more applications with the same priority) will be referred to an auction process for resolution.

Landrush

After the Sunrise phase has concluded, the Landrush phase will commence. The landrush phase is typically characterised by the application of premium names, i.e. car, loan, hotel, etc. These premium names are not trademarks but generic names, which hold a high value. Contested applications during the landrush phase will also be referred to auction to determine who should receive the name.

The dotAfrica project team is also working relentlessly on the .africa TLD pre-launch and launch policies. These policies will outline the detailed operational processes and procedures that will govern the launch of the TLD under the administration of the ZA Central Registry.

The 3 main policies and procedures we are looking into are:

1. Reserved Name List - the policy will regulate the reservation of certain domain names, prior to launch, which may be regarded as important, sensitive, offensive and/or otherwise in the general interest for the well being of the TLD. The policy will define the rules, procedures and guidelines for identifying domain names that should be reserved and how they will be moderated for entry into the Reserve Name List. When a name is entered into the RNL, the registry will ensure that the name is not available for registration, other than through defined redemption processes as articulated in the Reserve Name List policy.
2. Priority Rights and Sunrise Mechanisms -  the policy will regulate the protection of priority/proprietary rights within the TLD, particularly trade mark rights. The policy will allow for mechanisms and associated procedures whereby the public and Intellectual Property Community can submit their marks for validation, redeem their validated marks and also have a platform for contention resolutions, should they arise.
3. Premium Names and Land Rush Mechanisms - the policy will be used to regulate the identification and allocation of high value/premium names within the Second Level Domain (SLD).

The policy will establish procedures to engage members of the public in them obtaining premium names or premium name options. Procedures and guidelines will be contained in the policy that domain name applicants must utilize in order to apply for domain names during the Land Rush period.

These policies will undergo a stakeholder and appropriate public comment period, and will be communicated to all in due course. Keep watching this space...

A dotAfrica Pioneer is a brand, individual, commercial entity, NGO or government department which supports and believes in the dotAfrica TLD.

dotAfrica Pioneers are those entities which set themselves above from the rest, and are the first to endorse the dotAfrica TLD.

In return the Pioneer will have their dotAfrica name reserved and will essentially be registered by you only, thus protecting your designated space in Africa's new home on the worldwide web.

The programme has been very well received by the public and other stakeholders, and we have subsequently reached our quota for non-trademark sign ups.

For more information on the programme, visit: http://africainonespace.org/pioneer
 

The Ministers in attendance at the SADC ICT Ministerial meeting were given a  progress update on the dotAfrica project and initiative as follows:

1. In 2011 the AUC initiated a tender process through which it selected  UNIFORUM . ZACR to be the technical Registry Operator to operate dotAfrica (.Africa) and to apply to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for operation of dotAfrica (.Africa).

2. In April 2012 UNIFORUM ZACR submitted to ICANN an application for dotAfrica (.Africa) and paid the applicable fees.

3. By time of application ICANN application deadline, 39 African countries had issued letters of support to the AU-endorsed dotAfrica (.Africa) application.

4. To date 41 African countries have issued letters of support.

5. The dotAfrica (.Africa) Steering Committee has developed a Reserved Name Policy, which will be posted for public comments before end of May 2013.
 

The 153th INTA Meeting was held in Dallas, and the new gTLD program was highlighted at the meeting. The following was one of the topics of discussion:

Avoiding Mistakes in the Trade - Mark Clearinghouse (TMCH)

The TMCH was presented by Amy Stathos of ICANN, where she explained that the TMCH is a central database that allows brand owners to register their marks. Once the ownership of the mark is verified, the TMCH will alert the brand owner if someone else is trying to register their mark. Only registered marks and common law marks subjected to a court decision may be registered with the TMCH.


She further explained that the TMCH is just one layer of protection for brand owners, and is meant to support what’s now the mandatory for the sunrise period.

Vicky Folens from Deloitte, mentioned that the TMCH was a useful tool for brand owners, but users were finding it difficult to navigate the system and also mentioned mistakes users were making when using the system, for example creating a user account, brand owners were registering as agents instead of brand or trademark holders. Agents need to pay a fee, for registering on the system.

Brand owners in cases of disputes can utilize and take advantage of the URS system, which is designed the exisiting Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. The URS is based on UDRP and is faster and less expensive.
 

Andrew Marshall, Neil Dundas and Simla Budhu at INTA 2013

For more information, please visit:

http://www.managingip.com/Article/3202404/Managing-Internet-IP-Archive/Avoiding-mistakes-in-the-Trademark-Clearinghouse.html

http://www.managingip.com/Article/3202058/Managing-Trade-Marks-Archive/Are-you-ready-for-the-Big-Bang.html
 

In keeping with the policy, TMCH, sunrise policies, etc. it is appropriate for us to showcase one of the dotAfrica team members, who is an expert in Intellectual Property law.

Andrew Marshall is a Director at Dingley Attorneys and specialises in ICT law. He has a Master’s degree in the subject and also a background in software development. He assists clients with most aspects of ICT law including communications and security policies, data privacy, software development & licensing, support & maintenance, hosting & co-location, intellectual property (including domain name disputes), e-commerce facilitation, and WASP agreements.

For more information about Andrew, please visit: http://africainonespace.org/team.php?type=RPT

The Zulu language is called Zulu or isizulu. Zulu has about 19 000 words and one of the most complex grammars in the world. Many Dutch and English words have been incorporated into the language. With the upcoming ICANN event taking place in Durban, this may prove quite useful...

HOW TO PRONOUNCE ZULU WORDS:

VOWELS

a : as in army
I : as in pink
u : as in ruler
e : as in leg
o : as in old

CONSONANTS

All these consonants are followed by a soft sounding h as in hand:

p : as in plank
t : as in tank
b : as in bush
k : as in kite

These letters are pronounced the same way they are in English:

v : as in vase
l : as in like
sh : as in ship
f : as in father
y : as in yield
hl : as in tenthly
m : as in map
s : as in sing
nhl : as in gently
n : as in nine
z : as in zoo

CLICK SOUNDS

There are many different click sounds in Zulu. You will need to practice these basic clicks:

c : pronounced as k, but with the tip of the tongue pressed against the upper front teeth.

gc : pronounced as g (as in gate) but with the tip of the tongue pressed against the top front teeth

nc : pronounced as n but with the tip of the tongue pressed against the top front teeth.

gq : pronounced as g (as in gate) but with the tongue pressed against the top of the mouth.

nq : pronounced as n but with the tongue pressed just behind the top teeth.

q : pronounced as q but followed by an h (as in hat).

x : pronounced as k, but with the tongue pressed against the side teeth.

nx : pronounced through the nose as n, but with the tongue pressed against the side teeth.

EXAMPLES

Sawubona - hello
Ngiyabonga - thank you
Yebo - yes
Cha - no
Hamba kahle - go well (good bye)
Sala kahle - stay well (good bye)
Unjani?- how are you?
Ngikona - I’m fine
Wena unjani - and how are you?..."

http://library.thinkquest.org/27209/Language.htm

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Until next time ...