Hong Kong's Domain Name Registration Company Announces New .hk Rules

by Mary Swire, Tax-news.com, Hong Kong

23 May 2001

The Hong Kong Domain Name Registration Company Limited (HKDNR) has announced that new policies on the .hk domain registration will be more corporate-friendly and service-oriented. Due to take place on June 1, 2001, HKDNR's CEO, Dr Francis Chin, said there will be several important changes to current policies including the ability to register multiple domain names, transfer domain names and the adoption of a new dispute resolution mechanism.

In a statement released by the HKDNR, Dr Chin explained: 'The ability of a company to register multiple domain names and transfer a domain name from one company to another provides greater flexibility. In today's corporate world, corporate structures are complex and change through time. The policy for domain name registration should be able to cope with the changing face of corporate Hong Kong. We especially invite existing domain name holders to re-register in order to enjoy such greater flexibility in policy.'

Domain names will continue to be registered on a first-come, first-served basis. When two parties vie for the same domain name, a dispute resolution mechanism will be implemented. Dr Chin said: 'The method we will use is arbitration, rather than going to court or relying on mediation, to address cyber-squatting. We have appointed the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) to provide arbitration service in this connection. Arbitration is the approach recommended by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). It is a cost-effective and efficient way to go.'

Dr Chin also spoke of the philosophy behind the HKDNR's policies to encourage the widespread use of the Internet in Hong Kong, particularly in connection to e-commerce. The .com.hk domain name registrations, supported by legally binding business registrations, are considered as a major step to promoting the growth of e-commerce in Hong Kong. 'Visitors to .com.hk sites are assured that they are dealing with legitimate businesses registered and with a physical presence in Hong Kong. This requires that domain name renewal be an annual exercise in accordance with the annual renewal of business registration. The initial registration and annual renewal fees are both set at HKD$200, which are very reasonable and comparable to the rates of other economies,' explained Dr Chin.

The new polices will mark the start of a 'sunrise period' of eight days. Applications for new domain names can be perfomed on the Internet and those received during the sunrise period will be processed as a batch. 'If there are several applicants for the same domain name, those holding (or applying for) trade/service marks registered in Hong Kong related to that domain name will be given first (or second) priority, with any further conflicts resolved by random selection,' said Dr Chin.

Details of the new registration policies and the alternative dispute resolution mechanism can be found at: http://www.hkdnr.net.hk

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