The long awaited .AFRICA domain name extension will be available as of 3 April 2017 and will be managed by ZACR (ZA central registry).
This is an exciting prospect for businesses and individuals affiliated with Africa to identify themselves in a global audience.
The launch has been anticipated for several years though delayed as a result of the selection of the accredited registry.
It initially opens during the sunrise period to trademark owners who hold a validated trade mark with either the MVS (Mark Validation System) or Trade Mark Clearing House (TMCH).
The sunrise period commences 3 April 2017 to 2 June 2017 granting priority only to trade mark owners with validated trade marks for a period of sixty days. The allocation is granted at the close of the sunrise period which may move to auction if there are two or more applicants.
Once this sunrise period has closed there will be a landrush period from 4 June 2017 to 30 June 2017. General availability is expected 3 July 2017 onwards when .Africa domains may be registered by any interested party.
Priority is as follows:
- Holders of African registered trademarks and court validated marks in Africa have first priority (sunrise period);
- Holders of registered and court validated marks outside of Africa have second priority;
- African Companies and Trusts have third priority;
- Companies and trust outside of Africa have fourth priority.
Registration is valid for one year, renewable annually. Costs to register .Africa domains will be considerably lower during the sunrise period than the landrush period. General availability is on a first come first served basis and an affordable sliding scale applies on renewal.
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