(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — As the global Sunrise period is set to begin April 26, allowing eligible trademark holders the right to apply for the .CO domain names, a number of domain registrars are eager to sell the new domains, accepting pre-orders in what some anticipate will be the biggest domain name launch since .COM.
The new registry operator for the .CO top-level domain, .CO Internet S.A.S. (www.cointernet.co), plans to ensure that the rights of brand owners will be respected and protected in connection with the launch of the .CO domain using internationally recognized best practices. To this end, .CO will be pioneering a course in the domain industry by implementing many of the Rights Protection Mechanisms proposed by ICANN’s Implementation Recommendation Team to safeguard the rights of brand owners around the world.
“As the new registry operator of the .CO TLD, we recognize and embrace our responsibility to serve as a reliable trustee for the .CO domain – a unique digital resource with broad global appeal,” .CO Internet chief executive officer Juan Diego Calle said in a statement. “We are committed to managing the .CO Registry in a responsible manner – one that places a premium on protecting the rights of brand owners.”
This includes, among other things, implementing a carefully structured Sunrise process, commencing in April, where owners of eligible registered trademarks will have the chance to register corresponding domain names before the registry opens to the general public.
Some of ICANN’s key RPMs and other protections followed by the .CO Registry include an IP Clearinghouse to assist brand owners via their registrars in securing their brands in .CO during the Sunrise process in an efficient and effective manner. There is a “Rapid Takedown Policy” in cases where phishing, pharming, malware, or other significant criminal and/or security threats have been established. .CO has also assembled a list of “Specially Protected Marks,” offering added protection to leading brands that the global consulting firm Deloitte (www.deloitte.com) has independently identified as having made significant efforts to protect.
The .CO Registry anticipates these precautions as being especially important, given that the domain launch is expected to generate significant interest given the scarcity of credible web address options in the market. Universally recognized as an abbreviation for company, commerce, and community, the new .CO domain gives companies concise, creative options for branding their Internet real estate.
“Because .CO is a memorable and short extension, we’ll see a rush of companies launching or re-launching their brands around their .CO name,” said David Andrews, marketing manager for Domain.com (www.domain.com), one of the companies that is offering pre-registration for .CO domains. “As word gets out and more people recognize now is the time to stake their claim, the frenzy around .CO should be similar to what the world saw when .COM first launched. Early adopters have the most to gain.”
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