ICANN launch for co.nl domain

Internet Business News, June 26, 2008

INTERNET BUSINESS NEWS-(C)1995-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The 'co.nl' Operator established by ICANN in 2007 and managed by EuroDNS, a multiTLD operator, announced today (26 June) at ICANN Paris that the TLD will be available from September 2008.

To protect previous interests and trademark rights, holders of '.nl' domains will be allowed a 'Grandfather Period' to allow them to register the same domain with a co.nl ending. Immediately afterwards, there will be a 'Sunrise Period' allowing trademark holders to register co.nl domains containing their trademarks.

Applications by trademark holders will be validate by Deloitte Laga based on trademark registries.

Subsequent to these processes, the TLD will accept applications from companies and the general public. The operator stressed that there are no requirements of local presence or a tie with the Netherlands before an application for a co.nl domain will be considered but that openness should not mean free for all and that it had taken steps to ensure protection of third party rights.

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