Top-level domain names not only for Dutch

New regulations issued by the Foundation for Internet Domain Registration (SIDN) have taken effect. Now, applicants from all over the world, including private individuals, are able to register top-level country-code domain names.

The most important aspects the new regulations are as follows:

• Registration of '.nl' domain names is open to any natural or legal person that can provide a Dutch address of domicile.
  
  
• There is no restriction on the number of domain names that may be registered by a natural or legal person.
  
  
• Domain names do not need to correspond in any way to the name of the proposed registrant/owner.

At the same time as these new regulations on registration came into effect, a system of alternative dispute resolution was introduced. A party whose trademark or trade name rights are infringed through the registration of a domain name is able to initiate arbitral proceedings. These proceedings are administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization. New registrants, as well as current registrants making any change to their registration agreement, are automatically bound by an arbitration clause.

Ruprecht Hermans, NautaDutilh, Amsterdam