Domain Names
Legal Basis
There is no specific legislation although some regulations on the organization and management of country code top-level domain names do exist.
Filing
Country code top-level domain name: .au
Sub-domains: .csiro.au; .asn.au; .com.au; .edu.au; .gov.au; .id.au; .org.au; .net.au
Applicant: legal entities. Individuals can apply only if they are trademark or business name owners.
Restriction as to nationality: generally, only Australian entities can apply, unless a foreign entity owns an Australian trademark.
Local presence: required. If relying upon an Australian trademark to establish local presence, the domain name must be an exact match of the trademark.
Domestic trademark right: required for obtaining domain name registration for .au, .com.au and .net.au domain names.
Domain name can be registered as a trademark: yes.
Registration, Protection
Duration: two years.
Renewal/maintenance: two years, renewable.
Dispute about ownership: can be brought before the court.
Uniform dispute resolution procedure: available (variation of UDRP) before WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.
Other dispute providers: Leading Edge Alternative Dispute Resolvers (LEADR); The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Australian Branch (CIArb); The Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia (IAMA).
Authority name: .au Domain Administration Limited (auDA).
Internet address: www.auda.org.au