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.ZA ccTLD

.ZA is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Africa, delegated according to the two-letter codes in the International Standard ISO 3166-1, which is an identification label that is assigned for a particular country.

.ZA is administered by the .ZA Domain Name Authority (ZADNA).

.ZA DOMAINS

ZA supports a second level domain (SLD) structure which means that domain names can only be registered under an SLD e.g. yourname.gov.za or yourname.net.za. ZADNA decides which SLDs should be added to .ZA, which current SLDs should be reviewed, and the entities that should be entrusted with operating the SLDs.

These SLDs are only open to designated group/s and as such, require applicants to meet set eligibility requirement/s.

Un-moderated SLDs accept domain name applications without imposing eligibility requirements. ZADNA has appointed the ZA Central Registry (ZACR) to operate all un-moderated SLDs.

Most of the .ZA SLDs are active (i.e. they accept new domain name applications) but there are a limited number of SLDs that remain inactive (i.e. they do not accept any new domain name applications, and only maintain names already registered in the SLD).

| View Active SLDs

There a limited number of historical private SLDs that ZADNA inherited when it assumed the management of .ZA from the previous .ZA administrator. These are:

Agric.za
Grondar.za
Nis.za

ZADNA no longer accepts any addition of private SLDs because of its commitment to maintaining the SLD structure.

ZADNA also plays the role of a policy developer and driver for .ZA.

Some of its current policies include the .ZA SLD Delegation Policy, SLD Charters, SLD Deletions Policy and other policies, including policies currently under consultation.

Policies are developed in consultation with .ZA registries, registrars, the internet community and the public.

In line with ZADNA management and operations policies ZADNA developed and published The ZA SLD Operational Standards that must adhered to by the ZA SLD operators. This was done after consultation with .ZA Second-level domain operators and administrators.

Domain Name Right & Protection Process

Domain Information | Policies And Regulations | Domain Disputes | Abuse or Fraudulent Websites

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RIGHTS PROTECTION

ZADNA highly values the protection of intellectual property and other rights in the registration of .ZA names. This kind of protection means that the .ZA namespace can be trusted. To achieve this goal, ZADNA has an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process that is intended to allow aggrieved parties to lodge disputes of .ZA domain names, and have their disputes resolved in a faster and more cost- effective way than courts of law.

A domain name dispute is a dispute regarding a registered domain name. Such a dispute is between a complainant and a person who registered a domain name (i.e. registrant).

According to the ADR regulations, the basis of a domain name dispute can either be an abusive or an offensive registration.

The Minister of Communications promulgated the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Regulations in November 2006 to resolve disputes relating to domain names registered the co.za domain. In terms of the ADR Regulations, the Authority is mandated to accredit suitable service providers to provide ADR services, and to receive fees from the providers for each resolved dispute.

There are two panels that can hear a dispute. Fees differ depending on the panel chosen:

One (1) adjudicator panel – for a fee of R10 000 (ten thousand Rand)
Three (3) adjudicator panel – for a fee of R24 000 (twenty four thousand Rand)

The parties to a dispute choose the panel they wish to use.

Parties interested in becoming accredited .ZA ADR providers should apply to ZADNA. Applications for accreditation will be processed during the ordinary course of business. Application requirements are listed in Regulations 37 and 38 of the ADR Regulations. Download the regulations below.

Applications should be submitted by email to adr@zadna.org.za or by hand to ZADNA, 44 Grand Central Road, Sanofi House, Halfway House, Midrand, 1685, Gauteng, South Africa.

Applications should not exceed 20 pages (excluding attachments) and should adhere to 1.5 spacing and a font of 12. Proposals posted or hand-delivered must be accompanied by a soft copy (CD/DVD or memory stick) that will not be returned.

ADR enquiries should be emailed to adr-at-zadna.org.za. You can also contact ZADNA by phone on +27 (0)10 020 3910.

ZADNA currently has the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa and the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law as its accredited ADR providers.

The ADR Regulations require each provider to pay 10% of the fee of each resolved dispute to ZADNA. ZADNA is required to use this money to set up a fund to assist those persons wanting to lodge ADR disputes, but having no money to afford the ADR fees.

ZADNA’s has application procedure and eligibility guidelines that applicants should use to apply for ADR financial assistance. An application form can be downloaded here.

You can also download the ADR Fund eligibility guidelines application procedure

The ADR regulations require ZADNA to publish all ADR decisions in its website. All decisions to date are listed here.

2021 ADR Decisions

constantiainsurancegroup.co.za
neonails.co.za
oculusvr.co.za
thinkforex.co.za
sarsfiling.co.za
moosa.co.za

| View ADR Decisions Archives

RIGHTS &PROTECTION