[November 09, 2009] Trade in Internet Names Expected to Rise in UAE Tweet DUBAI, Nov 10, 2009 (Khaleej Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Over the last two years, the emirate has seen the launch of a bewildering number of new property developments. But web designer Richard Jones kept track of them all. Part of a growing number of internet speculators, Jones was quick to register internet domain names of any new property projects he noticed. "I used to read the newspapers every day to see what projects had just been announced or were in the pipeline," he told Khaleej Times. "As soon as I saw something new I would go online and register it before anyone else. Some companies forget to register certain domain names." Jones is currently selling a clutch of domain names -- including one linked with a national property developer -- on popular classified website Dubizzle. However, he claims he is not doing anything illegal. "Anyone is legally entitled to register domain names for anything they want, including the names of other companies," he said. "As long as you don't make a website and pretend to represent that company, there is nothing wrong." The buying and selling of domain names linked with registered trademarks is not considered a criminal offence, unless the domain name owner creates a website impersonating the trademark owner. In many parts of the world, companies have been forced to buy back domain names registered by quick-thinking speculators. In 2007, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) introduced a new .ae domain name -- which has prompted a fresh wave of domain name traders in the UAE. On Monday, Dubizzle had two listings for .ae directories -- one of which included the sale of potential nightlife website www.nights.ae , for Dh32,000. The normal price for a new domain name is Dh120-Dh170, the TRA has said. Mohammed Gheyath, Director of Technical Affairs, previously told the Khaleej Times that he expected that the level of domain name trading would increase with the increasing popularity of .ae web addresses. Balloch admitted that there had been a number of disputes over .ae addresses, but declined to give a figure. She said that the problem would grow even more apparent after an international organisation earlier this month approved of plans to allow the registration of domain names in non-Latin script. By 2010, it is believed that the general public could have the opportunity to buy internet addresses in Arabic, Japanese and Hindi script -- among others. All that could spell problems for companies not quick enough to protect their trademarks, said Balloch. "I have been advising my clients to register their trademark domain names in a variety of different language scripts once this becomes effective," she said. "However, it is hoped that WIPO will give companies preference in registering their own trademarked domain names, rather than having it on a land-rush basis." Although officials at the TRA have said that domain names linked with registered trademarks will be given back to the complainant, it is doubtful whether domain name trading will ever be considered a criminal offence. J.C. Butler, co-founder of Dubizzle, said that he wasn't aware of domain names being traded on the website. "We always remove postings which violate our terms of use," he said. "Sometimes this also applies to grey areas such as this." [email protected] To see more of the Khaleej Times, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.khaleejtimes.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Khaleej Times, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]