The DotAsia Organization will begin accepting Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) registrations of Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Japanese and Korean domain names on May 11, 2011.

As with many new domain name spaces, the .ASIA Registry provides a short window of time known as a "sunrise" period, in this case 70 days, for trademark owners to secure domain names matching their trademarks.

If there are equally qualified applicants for the same domain name (e.g., FORD motor company and FORD talent agency), priority will be given first to government agency applicants, then to trademark holder applicants, and then to registered corporate name applicants.  If multiple trademark holders apply for the same domain name, applicants will be invited to bid for that domain name in an auction.

Following the sunrise period, a 70-day "landrush" period will commence on August 2, 2011.  This phase will be open to anyone interested.  However, if more than one successful application is received for the same domain name, an auction will be held to determine the successful applicant.

Other Technical Details of Interest

• To qualify for the sunrise period, trademark registrations need not be in an "Asian" country.  Any country will suffice, but it must match the domain name or translate to the domain name.

• Registered corporate names must be based on registered companies, societies, etc., in the DotAsia Community.

• One listed contact (registrant, administrative, technical or billing) must be located in an Asian country.

• Apart from the sunrise period, the DotAsia Organization will also launch an IDN Pioneer Domains Program for interested parties who may not qualify for the sunrise requirements, for example, celebrities, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofit organizations, etc.  Participants are required to submit a detailed proposal describing the business and marketing plans to build an active website.

 © 2011 Perkins Coie LLP