Domains
A domain name dispute usually occurs when a person holds the licence to a particular domain name and another person challenges that registration, due to a belief of entitlement. In other words, where there are conflicting or competing interests in a domain name.
Domain names are issued on a ‘first in, first serve’ basis, provided that the party wishing to register the domain name (the Registrant) meets certain eligibility criteria.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to register a .com.au domain name, any one of the following must apply to the Registrant:
- trading under a business name registered in any State or Territory of Australia;
- be an Australian partnership;
- be the owner or applicant of an Australian Registered Trade Mark;
- an incorporated Association or an Australian Statutory body registered in any Australian State or Territory;
- an Australian Registered Company; or
- a foreign company licensed to trade in Australia.
Further, a .com.au domain name must be:
- an exact match, abbreviation or acronym of the Registrant’s name or trade mark; or
- closely and substantially connected to the Registrant.
How we can assist you
We can assist you by:
- communicating and negotiating with a domain name registrant for the purpose of acquiring a certain domain name; and
- acquiring a domain name from another party via prescribed dispute resolution channels, including the Australia Domain Name Administrator (AuDA) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).