Domain name registration is an important asset for any global business. In addition to making web sites easily accessed by national and international users, registration can be used as a defensive measure to prevent third parties from encroaching on trademark rights.
Before May this year NIC.VE (the entity charged with registering domain names) rejected domain name applications if a trademark application identical to the proposed domain name already existed. Referring to the Industrial Property Registry database, NIC.VE either accepted or rejected applications within 24 hours of receipt on this basis.
Since May, however, NIC.VE has eliminated the restriction based on trademark conflict and now registers domain names on a first-come, first-served basis, in line with similar entities in other jurisdictions throughout the world.
Fortunately, the domain name registration process is fast and efficient. Both foreign and local companies can own domain names. Names are registered on a local server, but the administrative and technical contacts can be outside Venezuela if so desired. The only contact required to be in Venezuela is the billing contact.
In order to apply for a domain name, NIC.VE requires the following information:
- purpose and description of the domain name;
- the complete domain name to be registered (eg, company.com.ve);
- name and address of the organization;
- name, address, telephone, fax, and e-mail of the administrative contact;
- name, address, telephone, fax, and e-mail of the technical contact;
- name, address, telephone, fax and e-mail of billing contact; and
- hostname and web site address of both primary and secondary servers.
Once all data has been verified, NIC.VE will notify applicants within 16 hours of the approval of the domain name. Within 30 days of approval, the owner of the domain name must pay the approximate equivalent of $37 in Venezuelan currency. The same amount must be paid on an annual basis for maintenance of the domain name.
In this busy era where e-commerce dominates global trade, the registration of a domain name is a fast, efficient and effective business asset.
For further information on this topic please contact Luis Miguel Vicentini at Baker & McKenzie by telephone (+58 212 276 5111) or by fax (+58 212 264 1532) or by e-mail ([email protected]).
The materials contained on this web site are for general information purposes only and are subject to the disclaimer.