Down To .Bizness
By Lee Hodgson
The waiting is finally over. The new
.biz domain name is about to launch. In an attempt to ensure a fair and smooth take off, the launch is being split into three distinct steps:
Step One: The "IP Claim Service" (21st May to 9th July)
This is designed to help registered and common law trademark and service mark owners protect their intellectual property (IP) rights against potential infringement and cybersquatters. It is a rather complex system but
essentially involves anyone with an IP claim on a domain name stepping up to the plate and registering their claim. It doesn't guarantee they will get the name. It is supposed to 'ward off' cybersquatters and also
parties accidentally attempting to register trademarked names in stage two. Further information can be found here:
http://www.neulevel.com/countdown/step1.html
Step Two: Apply for .biz Domain Names (10th July to 25th September)
This is where it starts to get really interesting, and also quite controversial. The company running .biz, Neulevel, have implemented a system
whereby businesses and individuals can submit applications for .biz domains prior to the actual launch on 1st October. What's controversial is that the system allows for each applicant to submit as many applications for
a single name as they want, with the proviso that there is a fee (under $5) attached to every application. The successful registrant will be chosen at random after 25th September, so the more applications an applicant
makes, the better the chance of securing the name. Sounds a bit like a lottery, right? That is where the controversy begins. Lotteries are illegal in some states in the US and also many countries around the world. But
by the time any legal bodies have taken notice, the 'lottery' will have become a distant memory. More details here:
http://www.neulevel.com/countdown/step2.html
Step Three: .biz Names Go Live (October 1st)
October
1st 2001 is a date for your notebook, the .biz registry will go live. Anyone lucky enough to have secured a .biz name during step two will be able to use their domain name from 1st October, and new 'live' registrations
of unregistered .biz names will be possible for the first time. You will be able to register these names through your normal domain channels. Prices are expected to be much in line with .coms. Further information can be
found here:
http://www.neulevel.com/countdown/step3.html
The other new domain name that is gearing up for launch is ".name" so expect an update on that one next month.
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