Important Changes Affecting .AU Domain Names
Dear Valued Clients,
This is an announcement regarding the upcoming changes in the eligibility requirements for .COM.AU, and .NET.AU domain name registration.
The new eligibility requirements for .AU domain name registration will take effect on April 12th, 2021. In other words, from April 12th, 2021 onwards, all new .AU domain name registrations must meet these eligibility requirements. Existing .AU domains that do not comply with the new requirements will become ineligible for renewal.
In the meantime, here is a summary of what’s changing:
Changes Affecting .COM.AU and .NET.AU Domains
As of April 12th, a domain name must be an exact match of the words subject to the Australian trademark application or registration. This replaces the "closely and substantially connected rule" that is currently in place.
Who is impacted by this change in eligibility for .COM.AU and .NET.AU domain names?
Current foreign companies, legal entities, or persons who use an Australian Trade Mark to meet the Australian presence requirement, where their COM.AU or NET.AU domain is not an exact match of their Australian Trade Mark.
What should registrants of affected .COM.AU and .NET.AU domain names do?
Consider registering a trademark for the words within their current domain name; or
Changing the basis on which they meet the Australian Presence requirement; however,
If it involves changing the legal entity the domain is registered to, the name will need to be transferred to that new entity
Please note for .COM.AU and .NET.AU domain names
If a person uses their Australian Trade Mark to meet Australian Presence, at domain renewal, this requirement must be fulfilled. If the trademark is no longer valid then a person must meet another criterion, otherwise, they can no longer hold that domain license.
Further Validation for .COM.AU and .NET.AU
Registrants will undergo further validation of identity, their ability to meet licensing requirements, their Australian presence, and their email address for private registrants.
How to check if you are impacted?
Type in your domain name to the auDA Whois domain checker HERE.
Add the captcha text to verify you are not a bot.
Press ‘Submit’.
Then scroll down to find the section that says ‘Eligibility Type’ and see if it says trademark or not.
If it says ‘Company’ or not trademark or similar, then you won’t need to be concerned with this change.
For further details, please refer HERE.
Please do not hesitate to contact us via our helpdesk portal if you have any enquiries.
Thank You!
Best Regards,
Customer Service Team
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Customer Service Department