The introduction of the new gTLD application process by ICANN has also necessitated the introduction of wide reaching rights protection mechanisms (RPMs) to protect the interests of intellectual property (ip) rights owners, governments and affected communities across the world. The ZACR’s 4x new geographic TLDs are no different and a number of RPMs have been introduced throughout the application and launch process.
Mechanisms such as the Reserved Name Lists (RNL), Uniform Dispute Resolution Process (UDRP) and the Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) process are all set to have an impact on the local and African DNS communities.