A new Domain Name Policy was introduced in India on January 1, 2005. It provides for, inter alia:
Availability of top-level domain name ‘.IN’ (previously available only to Internal Service Providers) to all companies/individuals both in and outside India without any restrictions. This is an addition to the other appellations which continues to remain on offer:
i. “co.in” : for registered companies and banks; and trade marks
ii. “firm.in”: for proprietary concerns, partnership firms, shops, liaison offices
iii. “ac.in” : for the academic community
iv. “res.in”: for research institutes
v. “gov.in”: for government organisations
vi. “mil.in”: for military establishments
vii. “net.in”: for Internet Service Providers
viii. “org.in”: for non-profit organisations
ix. “ind.in”: for individuals
x. “gen.in”: for general/miscellaneous purposes
Enlargement of term of initial registration to 5 years as opposed to 2 years in the previous regime.
Processing time of applications has reduced considerably.
Virtual absence of any formal requirements for registering a domain including the requirement of having a presence in India and configuration of active name servers. Now, the registered domain can merely be ‘parked’ with the Domain Registrar and the web-site can be activated any time thereafter.
Substantial reduction of application fee for registering domain names.
Introduction of .IN Dispute Resolution Policy (INDRP) in line with the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) of WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).
The .IN Registry is confronted with the registration of a large number of undesirable/immoral domain names. Numerous complaints are being filed with the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) seeking cancellation/transfer of such Domain Names through Arbitration. As per INDRP Rules of Procedure, the Arbitrator is bound to pronounce the Arbitral Award within 60 calendar days of commencement of the Arbitration Proceedings.
