E-Commerce Update March 2008 - Domain names

auDA to implement new transfers policy

On 26 February 2008, the Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA) Board approved an implementation plan for the new Transfers (Change of Registrant) Policy (policy) that was recommended by the 2007 Names Policy Panel in December last year. The policy will be introduced halfway through this year and features the following aspects:

• registrants will not be permitted to register a domain name for the sole purpose of resale or transfer to a third party
• it will not be permissible to transfer a domain name in the first six months following initial registration (domain names that have been renewed or previously transferred are exempt)
• after the first six months, registrants may offer their domain name for sale or transfer by any means such as direct sale, newspaper advertising or sale via a domain brokerage website
• the registrar of record will process transfers using a standard transfer form and may charge a transfer fee, and
• voluntary and confidential disclosure of the sale method and price to auDA for statistical purposes will be available to parties.

Further consultation between auDA, AusRegistry and accredited registrars on the technical aspects of implementation is anticipated. The current Transfers (Change of Registrant) Policy (2003–04) will continue to apply in the interim period.  
 
Further information is available via the auDA website.  

For more information please contact  

Name : Duncan Giles
Title : Special Counsel
Office : Sydney
Phone : +61 2 9225 5954
Fax : +61 2 9322 4000
Email : duncan.giles@freehills.com