Entitlement to Register .com.au

[Markz]

Hi,
I've just joined and haven't had a chance to check all forum threads properly to find if this has been covered already before [probably Yes, so I'm sorry in advance for all these repeats].
I own few oz domain names but all of them are related to my company business. I want to get involved in dn business and was thinking to buy few .com.aus but I'm not really sure how does it work legally.
Here is the statement for " Entitlement to Register":
A domain name must be:
1] An exact match, abbreviation or acronym of the registrant’s name or trademark; or
2] Otherwise closely and substantially connected to the registrant – some examples of this may be that the domain name represents a product or service the registrant sells.

How does this work? Can a person own a com.au that is not related to his business? Say for example my company is in printing, can I own [just for example] bestlawyers.com.au or sydneypub.com.au or freshair.com.au
Thanks in advance, your help will be really appreciated.

Mark

 

[soj]

Can a person own a com.au that is not related to his business? Say for example my company is in printing, can I own [just for example] bestlawyers.com.au or sydneypub.com.au or freshair.com.au
Thanks in advance, your help will be really appreciated.

Hi Mark - you're right - this has been covered many times before. But I'm happy to point you in the right direction.

The simple answer to your question is "yes".

Read clauses 2, 3 and 4 : http://www.auda.org.au/policies/auda-2008-10/

Under the "domain monetisation model", you can register names that have no relevance to your business name (as long as you follow the rules).

Good luck!

 

[Markz]

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply, exactly what I wanted to know. While we are on this subject, can I ask you one more question?
So for example, my current company is in printing. I have only one ABN and it's for this company. All my current oz domains are somehow related to printing. Now I want to buy oz domains for monetisation, to become a domainer and to have monetised websites. Can I buy all of them under my ABN for the printing company? As far as I know, here, in Australia, one needs to have an ABN to be able to buy a domain name [please correct me with this if I'm wrong]. This question has been bothering me for months and would really appreciate if you can help me to find an answer for it.

Thanks.
Mark

 

[soj]

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply, exactly what I wanted to know. While we are on this subject, can I ask you one more question?
So for example, my current company is in printing. I have only one ABN and it's for this company. All my current oz domains are somehow related to printing. Now I want to buy oz domains for monetisation, to become a domainer and to have monetised websites. Can I buy all of them under my ABN for the printing company? As far as I know, here, in Australia, one needs to have an ABN to be able to buy a domain name [please correct me with this if I'm wrong]. This question has been bothering me for months and would really appreciate if you can help me to find an answer for it.

Yes, you can use the same ABN if you want to. Or some people choose to separate their business activities. In which case, apply for another ABN online (either as an individual or other entity).

Or you can use a state based Business Name (in which case you don't need an ABN).

Or a TM.

 

[djuqa]

Or even an ACN
Australian Company Number (for the Acronym Challenged)

 

[soj]

Or even an ACN
Australian Company Number (for the Acronym Challenged)

Quite right Djuqa - I knew I forgot one!

There is another one as well - an ARBN.

ARBN = Australian Registered Body Number - Numbers are issued to registrable Australian bodies and foreign companies.

ABN, ACN or BN are the most common though.

 

[Markz]

Simply - The Best! Thanks guys for the info. As they say among members of domaining community all around the world: DNTRADE rocks and is that dot that separates com and au [or connects com and au - that if you look at this from the inside angle].
By the way, just crossed my mind, if you are after a slogan for this forum - the above might do the job nicely. Something like: Australian Domaining Community forum - We are the dot between COM and AU

 

[Data Glasses]

maybe i am incorrect but what about owning a trademark

I guess i clarify that this rule is in regards to a specifc name (associated with the trademark)

 

[soj]

maybe i am incorrect but what about owning a trademark

That's what I said.

Yes, you can use the same ABN if you want to. Or some people choose to separate their business activities. In which case, apply for another ABN online (either as an individual or other entity).

Or you can use a state based Business Name (in which case you don't need an ABN).

Or a TM.

 

[brettf]

Just as a piece of free advice.

ABN's are free. We see times where auDA does an audit of domains pertaining to a single registrant. So as a registrar we get a spreadsheet and the registrant gets sent please explains.

auDA then make a determination, but we've recently had a case where around 200 domains were required to be deleted.

So my advice, get a free ABN. Separate your printing business and the domains on that, from your domain business and register your new domains (for the purpose of domaining) on the new ABN.

YMMV.

 

[Data Glasses]

That's what I said.

Sorry got the flu and not thinking too straight today .....most days !

 

[Markz]

Thanks. I was actually thinking along the same line, better to separate them.

Just as a piece of free advice.

ABN's are free. We see times where auDA does an audit of domains pertaining to a single registrant. So as a registrar we get a spreadsheet and the registrant gets sent please explains.

auDA then make a determination, but we've recently had a case where around 200 domains were required to be deleted.

So my advice, get a free ABN. Separate your printing business and the domains on that, from your domain business and register your new domains (for the purpose of domaining) on the new ABN.

YMMV.