The priority allocation period for .AU direct closes on 20 September 2022. If you hold a domain name in any other .au namespace (eg. com.au, org.au, id.au etc.), created prior to 24 March 2022, you are able to apply for Priority Status to register its exact match in .au direct until this date.
Domains on priority hold will be released on Monday 3 October 2022.
To be eligible to register a domain name in .au direct (forexample.au), the registrant must have an Australian presence as defined in licensing rules of AUDA.
For foreign companies, this means they must have a trademark registered with IP Australia, and the domain name must be an exact match of the trademark.
If the launch of .AU direct represents an opportunity for companies wishing to gain visibility on the Australian Web, it also constitutes a risk for trademark holders in case of reservation of domain names identical to their trademarks from a third party (whether it is a cybersquatter with the opportunity to register with a connection to Australia or a homonymous rights holder).
For any information, don’t hesitate to contact your Nameshield’s expert.
Image source: kitkatty007 via Pixabay
