Issue 196 - 16th September 2005

.jobs update

It is expected that .jobs domains which were successfully applied for during the 'startup' period will go live towards the beginning of October. It is recommended to advise NetNames of any required redelegations as soon as possible, so that domains can be operational with the minimum of delay.

.jobs is now first-come, first-served. Orders for .jobs can be placed at www.gtld.com.

.travel update

The 'limited launch' period for .travel will commence 3rd October - this is an initial registration period for those in the travel and tourism industry who have been pre-authenticated by an approved travel association or provider. In order to secure a .travel domain during limited launch, you must become pre-authenticated by 27th September. This will generate a Unique Identification Number (UIN) and a list of domains you may be allowed to register. You must then make an application on www.gtld.com by 30th September.

.vn (Vietnam) sunrise update

The reseller sunrise period for 2nd-level .vn domains was extended to the public on 15th September and will run a further 90 days. It is expected that all .vn domains secured during both phases of sunrise period will go live in January 2006. Orders can be placed at www.netnames.com.

.pr (Puerto Rico) 2nd-level domain launched

Trademark holders can now register .pr domains at the second level, at www.netnames.com. This country-code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) for Puerto Rico will have obvious appeal to those in the public relations, marketing and advertising sectors. The TLD is packaged including 10 3rd-level sub-domains and will reside on the registry's DNS rather than the registrar's.

Cosby has last laugh over cybersquatting case

Arbitrators for the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) have awarded comedian Bill Cosby with the domain fatalbert.org, after he complained that the domain was being used in bad faith. Cosby created the Fat Albert cartoon character in the sixties and the character has since appeared in a movie. Cosby joins the growing number of celebrities who have secured domains using WIPO.