'.cl' registry announces changes to registration and dispute resolution policies

NIC Chile, the registry responsible for managing the ‘.cl’ domain name space in Chile, has announced the implementation of changes to its registration and dispute resolution policies to bring it into line with global industry practices. These changes will come into effect on December 1 2013, with the transitional arrangements for new registrations starting on November 1 2013.

The policy changes can be summarised as follows:

• system user accounts to facilitate comprehensive management of domain name portfolios, enabling all operations (eg, registrations and renewals) within the same platform;
• different functions attributed to each contact associated with a domain name, including the owner, administrative, technical and commercial contacts;
• immediate registration of domain names once payment is received, thus eliminating the status of "pending applications";
• direct registration of domain names by non-Chilean entities and individuals, without the need for a local representative (registration is currently reserved for entities and individuals in Chile);
• elimination of "competing applications" as a way to challenge the application of a domain name and establishment of a revocation procedure as a general method for resolving ‘.cl’ domain name disputes; and
• elimination of mediation and introduction of online arbitration in the event of disputes concerning registered domain names.

David Taylor and Sean Kelly, Hogan Lovells LLP, Paris