Most significantly, the report proposes anyone applying for a domain name should first hold an associated trademark. Cybersquatters have abused the current system, which only requires a related business name be held before an Internet name application is processed. This has led to the widespread registration of business names without any bona fide intention to trade under the name, the report notes.
Trademarks are more expensive to obtain.
Other proposed changes include dropping a ban on companies registering more than one Internet name and introducing names beginning with a number. AuDomain Australia is an industry body set up by the Federal Government to regulate the domain name space following the completion of two public reviews on policy and competition. Yesterday's report covered policy. The chair of the 30-person panel, Swinburne University academic Mr Derek Whitehead, said its most controversial proposal was to get rid of a ban on generic names. Mr Whitehead said the single biggest area of complaint about Internet names in Australia arose from people not being able to register their family name or company.