Hi there...
Delegation for .CapeTown .Durban and .Joburg is expected anytime now!
So, what is delegation exactly? Delegation happens when a TLD (Top Level Domain) is entered into the Internet's Root Zone. From the root zone, all TLD registries are able to offer the support needed to run a TLD.
These delegations signal the beginning of the largest-ever expansion of the Domain Name System (DNS); a change that promises to promote global innovation, competition and consumer choice. It means you will soon see the Internet grow from the 22 TLDs (like .COM, .BIZ and .ORG) that we have always had to more than 1400 new possibilities. To date, there have been 302 new delegations since October 2013.
We anticipate launching our new city TLDs as soon as possible after delegation has taken place. The launch will be subject to a limited rights registration period, which will include a parallel Sunrise and Landrush application period. Speak to your ISP, Host or Domain Registrar to enquire about securing your city domain names.
SUNRISE AND MARK VALIDATION
A
Sunrise application is a domain name application that is based on a validated priority right, such as a trade mark, business or company name etc. At the conclusion of the launch phase, Sunrise applications will be allocated before Landrush applications. Priority rights must first be validated in the
Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) or the localised
Mark Validation System (MVS) before an applicant can submit a Sunrise application. Please note that priority allocation will be given to domain applications based on trade marks registered in South Africa (for the ZAdotCity names) and in Africa (for the dotAfrica TLD). Contention sets will be resolved by means of an internal auction process. Watch our launch videos (
ZAdotCities and
dotAfrica) for an informative overview of the process.
LANDRUSH
Applications during the launch phase, which are not Sunrise applications, are automatically regarded as
Landrush applications. Landrush applications usually refer to domain names that are generic and may even be regarded as premium or high value names. If there are multiple competing applications for the same domain name string, those applications will be referred to an internal auction process in order to determine the successful party.
COUNTDOWN TO DELEGATION AND LAUNCH: ZADOTCITIES (.JOBURG) (.CAPETOWN) (.DURBAN)
The delegation of the three South African city TLDs is progressing well and we are hopeful that this process will be finalised before the end of the ICANN London meeting (22-26 June 2014). A status report on the current delegation process is available at
registry.net.za/launch
COUNTDOWN TO DELEGATION AND LAUNCH: DOTAFRICA (.AFRICA)
As you may well be aware, the delegation and launch of the dotAfrica (.africa) TLD has temporarily been suspended by ICANN due an on-going Independent Review Process (IRP) initiated by DCA Trust (another applicant for the .Africa TLD whose application was denied by ICANN in 2013). Further details on this process, including a status report on the current delegation process is available at
africainonespace.org/irp
For more information about the ZACR’s new gTLD launch process, please refer to
registry.net.za/launch
