Kia ora 

It’s been heartbreaking seeing the devastation caused by the weather events in February. At the Domain Name Commission, we’ve been carefully observing the connectivity issues and have been ready to assist with potential effects on domain name registrations. 

Our February was busy with finalising our budget and corporate plan. In 2023/24, we will focus our efforts on monitoring, enforcement, registrar and registrant compliance and online safety work through partner engagement and other business-as-usual activities. The plan considers our Strategic Outcomes indicators and six strategic priorities of the InternetNZ Group, including centring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Lean business practice.

In late February, we met in person with the mediators and experts who perform key services in our dispute resolution process. That was the first time in three years, and everyone agreed that there is something special about achieving a face-to-face connection after so long.

Read below about the first dispute resolution decision of 2023 and other useful updates. I hope this finds you safe and well and able to connect with others.

Updates from the team

Expert dispute resolution decision 

Kiwibank Limited v TY Lam [2023] NZDNCL 1467

In Kiwibank Limited v TY Lam, the expert ordered the transfer of <kiwibanks.co.nz>.

The complainant is a New Zealand bank established in 2002 with trademarks in the banking, insurance and finance industry. It operated predominantly under the domain name <kiwibank.co.nz>, registered in 2001. The disputed domain name was registered in 2016 and resolved to a page where the domain name was offered for sale. The complainant contacted the email address linked to the registration, and a large figure was requested for transfer.

The expert found that the domain name was similar to trade marks held and was registered primarily for the purpose of sale for excess consideration, making it an unfair registration under the policy.

Amendments to the .nz Rules will come into effect on 31 March

Since publishing the .nz Rules, InternetNZ has received some feedback from stakeholders and identified minor amendments to tidy up the .nz Rules. 

A number of amendments will be made to various Operational, Procedures and Requirements sections of the .nz Rules, and they will come into effect on 31 March 2023. 

If you have any questions, please email InternetNZ at dotnzreview@internetnz.net.nz before Friday, 24 March 2023.

New research about the Internet 

Only 42% of New Zealanders know where to report something online that might be harmful or dangerous, new InternetNZ’s research shows. It also finds that New Zealanders' concern about privacy and security continues to rise, with two-thirds reporting that they have decided not to use an online service in the past year due to privacy and security concerns.

InternetNZ runs its annual Internet Insights research to identify and understand the public’s use of the Internet, what they think about it and any concerns they may have.
 

Interesting news and media 

• How to talk your way out of a cybersecurity crisis (NZ)

• All but one online take-down notice ignored (NZ)

• 2022 in review: DDoS attack trends and insights (global)

• Hackers Ran Amok Inside GoDaddy for Nearly 3 Years (global)

• Policing and Takedown Strategies for Rogue Websites (global)

• Fun name-spinner uses AI to suggest domains (global)

• The TV Shop charged with misleading shoppers, allegedly posting fake online reviews (NZ)

Feedback 

And, as always, please give us feedback via email info@dnc.org.nz or on Twitter (@nzdnc). What topics do you want to hear more about, what bullet above is your favourite? What do you want more or less of?