The .za Domain Name Authority (Zadna) has published new policies and procedures for its members, following its recent consultation process.
The regulations set out mechanisms to ensure Zadna objectives, such as acting in the public interest, ensuring accessibility, fairness and competition, as well as establishing compliance with legislation.
The Electronic Communications and Transaction Act provides for Zadna to be created and mandates it to manage and administer the .za domain name space.
The regulations state that domain names are to be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with dispute resolution processes to be utilised if needs be to protect "rightful" owners of names.
It also created room for domain names to be suspended and re-delegated if, among other things, it is found the way a domain name is operated "presents an immediate and serious threat to the integrity of the domain naming system in SA or globally". Legal rulings can also allow for Zadna to shut down a domain name on a temporary basis.
Anyone wanting to register a .za domain name will have to comply with the Zadna policies. The policies will only become applicable at a date yet to be determined, which will be at least three months after being gazetted.
Zadna has yet to promulgate licensing regulations with clear technical requirements and licence fees.
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