DUBLIN - dotMobi, the company behind the first and only Internet address created for mobile phones, announced on August 14, 2006 that qualified trademark owners may apply for .mobi Premium Names starting September 15, 2006, a press release by dotMobi stated.
In cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), dotMobi has developed a Premium Name Application Process for trademark holders who must meet clearly defined criteria to apply to have their name removed from the Premium Name list and successfully register the domain. The Premium Name Application Process can be accessed at the dotMobi and WIPO websites.
The WIPO process rules for .mobi Premium Names specify that:
- The applicant is a holder of a national trademark registered prior to July 11, 2005, or applied for before that date but registered before the time of application to WIPO.
- The trademark has been used by the applicant in good faith for at least five years prior to applying for the domain.
- A Trademark certificate and other documentary evidence be provided.
- A short description of why the applicant is entitled to register the Premium Name accompanies the application.
The dotMobi Premium Names list is a compilation of commonly used (generic) words and phrases which dotMobi has set aside for equitable allocation as an alternate to the traditional "first come, first serve" procedure.
Beginning October 13, 2006, Premium Names will be sold to the general public after the conclusion of the four-week WIPO application process. Names will be distributed in batches through 2008 using both auction and Request for Tender (RFT) processes.
dotMobi’s Sunrise Registration period is currently ongoing. Trademark and Intellectual Property (IP) holders are able to register their trademarks as .mobi domain names until September 22, 2006. Beginning September 26, 2006, the general public can register highly desirable .mobi domain names through a registrar at a slightly higher price during the dotMobi Landrush period. Starting October 11, .mobi domain names can be registered through a registrar at standard prices.
dotMobi (the informal name of mTLD Top Level Domain, Ltd.), a joint venture company based in Dublin, Ireland with offices in Washington, DC, is leading the development of Internet usage from mobile phones by switching on the dotMobi domain name.