CircleID

After almost 3 years of numerous reports, comment periods and multiple implementation plans, ICANN has finally approved the delegation of the first set of Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) country code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) as a result of the IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process.

Specifically, the ICANN Board approved:

• Delegation of the .рф ("R.F.") domain representing the Russian Federation to Coordination Center for TLD RU
• Delegation of the السعودية ("Al-Saudia") domain representing Saudi Arabia in Arabic to the Communications and Information Technology Commission
• Delegation of the امارات ("Emarat") domain representing the United Arab Emirates to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
• Delegation of the مصر ("Misr") domain representing Egypt to the National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority

Registration periods for these new IDN ccTLDs will likely occur later this year and brand owners should begin preparing now by reviewing international trademark portfolio holdings and identifying important brands that should be promoted and protected.

Moreover, companies that have not yet adopted an automated domain monitoring solution should consider implementing one in advance of these launches.

To date, ICANN has received a total of 19 requests for IDN ccTLD(s) in the Fast Track Process, representing 11 languages.

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Related topics: Cybersquatting, Domain Names, ICANN, Multilinguism, Top-Level Domains