smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

The upcoming launch of the first new domain name in 15 years - dot.biz - has created something of a stir in the business community, due to the positive impact it is hoped it will have on on-line trading. However, businesses are being urged to react fast as there is just seven weeks to claim a right to a particular dot.biz domain name before they're snapped up by cybersquatters.

In the first phase of the launch of the dot.biz domain, companies have the chance to provide evidence of their trademark to support claims to a particular dot.biz web address, before the application process opens. This could prove invaluable in discouraging so-called cybersquatters from infringing on a business's intellectual property rights, and so avoiding possible legal costs later on. It also warns those who may unknowingly be infringing on another's trademark rights, thus protecting both the claimant and the applicant. This phase only lasts from 21 May to 9 July, after which no more claims will be accepted.

Phase two, from July through to 25 September, allows businesses to apply for their desired dot.biz domain names before the actual launch of dot.biz. During this phase, applicants will be notified of a trademark owner's claim if they have applied for the same name. If the business still wishes to go ahead with registering the web address, the trademark claimant will be notified and will be given an automatic 30-day "Cooling-Off Period" in which to challenge the registration. Dot.biz is expected to become operational in October.

A high level of demand is expected as companies rush to take part in this new environment designed specifically for businesses. "The Internet's uncontrolled growth has created a chaotic business environment," commented Douglas Armentrout, chief executive of NeuLevel, the neutral, third-party global registry provider selected to operate the dot.biz internet domain name registry. However, he suggests that "dot.biz is introducing a new world order for business" because it is using the latest technology to "support a broad array of global business activity on the Internet."

Dot.biz will be the first of a new wave of internet domain names. Dot.info is expected to be launched in June while dot.aero, dot.coop, dot.museum, dot.name and dot.pro are all in the pipeline.

The Intellectual Property Claim Service (phase 1) can be accessed from any ICANN-accredited dot.biz registrar or from NeuLevel's website (www.neulevel.com ). NeuLevel expects to be able to provide a list of the ICANN-accredited registrars very shortly.

With thanks to Lloyds TSB Success4Business. For more news and information visit www.success4business.com .

(23/5/01)

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