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February 7, 2005: The combined number of .com.au and .net.au domain names reaching 500,000 confirmed the success of the .au regime and demonstrated Australian business’ unwavering enthusiasm for the Internet according to the CEO of the .au Domain Administration (auDA), Mr Chris Disspain.
Mr Disspain said after just two and a half years in control of the .au domain name space, auDA, working with its licensed registry AusRegistry, auDA accredited registrars and their resellers, had established one of the world’s best domain name regimes.
“We have strict rules in place, which protect Australian consumers and businesses and ensure the overall integrity of the Internet in Australia,” he said.
“For example, a .com.au or .net.au domain name can only be registered by an Australian business.”
He said this contrasted with the global Top Level Domain (gTLD) regime which includes .com and .net.
“Anyone can register a .com or .net domain name. It doesn’t matter if you’re a legitimate business or not,” he said.
“This is not the case with .com.au or .net.au, which means that Australian consumers can feel confident ‘that what they see is what they get’.”
Mr Disspain said that auDA continues to urge Australian consumers and businesses to get behind .au, not just because of its integrity but because it clearly identifies them as being uniquely Australian.
“The use of a com.au or net.au domain name, tells the world that you are an Australian business,” he said.
“In many cases an Australian business will be trading on the fact that they’re Australian so why be circumspect? Show your colours!”
Reaching 500,000 com.au and net.au means that AusRegistry, which manages the database of all registered .au domain names under a licence agreement with auDA, has reduced the price it charges to accredited registrars.
“Attaining this milestone once again demonstrates that the auDA regime continues to work well and is leading to significant market growth,” he said.
ENDS
About auDA
.au Domain Administration Ltd (auDA) is an Australian not-for-profit company vested with the responsibility of operating the .au domain for the benefit of all stakeholders.
In its role as manager of the .au domain, auDA carries out the following functions:
Media Contacts:
Blackie McDonald
Grant Thomas, Account Director
Grant.Thomas@bmcd.com.au
02 9929 0200
Luke Dean, Account Manager
Luke.Dean@bmcd.com.au
02 9929 0200
auDA has won its TPA action against Domain Names Australia Pty Ltd, over mass mail outs during 2003.
Please read the latest Consumer Alert regarding the mass mail out by Domains Australia Pty Ltd, released 3 March 2005
