mobi Domain Names
In May 2006 the new domain name address “.mobi” was launched. It is intended for use with websites which have been specially configured to be easily accessible via mobile devices such as phones and PDAs. There is an initial staggered “sunrise period” during which only certain categories of persons will be able to apply to register a “.mobi” domain name.
- What is the procedure for registering a “.mobi” domain name?
- Choose an acceptable name: amongst other things, this must be unique, contain between 3 and 63 characters and not contain any special characters
- Choose an authorised “.mobi” registrar, who will process the registration on your behalf
- Registration is generally on a first come, first served basis
- What is the “sunrise period”?
- An initial limited period running from 22 to 29 May 2006, during which only members of various telecommunications industry organisations were eligible to register their trade marks as domain names
- A second period running from 12 June to 22 September 2006 during which only proprietors of other registered trade marks applied for before 11 July 2005 will be able to register a “.mobi” domain name
- “Sunrise” applicants will have to provide the following information:
- trade mark name
- trade mark ID number
- date of trade mark application
- date trade mark granted
- country of trade mark registration
- What is the “landrush period”?
- From 26 September 2006 registration will be open to the general public
- For the first two weeks of the general registration period there will be a “landrush period” during which domain names will be available at a special price
- From 11 October 2006 registration will be available at the standard price
- What about “premium names”?
- Certain generic and descriptive names, for example tennis, labrador and piano, will be held back until a later date (probably Autumn/Winter 2006) and allocated on a different basis
- How long will a registration last and how much does it cost?
- Two years initially, with renewal on an annual basis thereafter
- The price will be determined by individual registrars
- Action: look at mTLD’s website at www.mtld.mobi where there is more information about “.mobi” domain names, a draft list of premium names and a list of authorised registrars
