With the increase of domain name disputes worldwide it isencouraging to know that domain name authorities are beginning toimplement dispute resolution procedures that are relativelyinexpensive and time efficient with the aim of protecting trademark owners.

However every now and then a blatant oversight can occur leaving agapping hole for cybersquatters to abuse. This appears to be thecase of org.za which is intended forSouth African non-commercial organisations, including but notlimited to charities, NGOs, Section 21 companies, trade andindustry associations, trade unions, political parties andreligious organisations. The terms and conditions, however, do notprevent commercial entities or individuals from registeringorg.za, as is the case of Lexsynergy.org.za.

Allowing commercial entities to register org.za domains is not the disturbing issue butrather the fact that the South African ADR only covers co.za domains and not org.za domains. This creates the absurdsituation that a commercial entity is afforded a cheap method toretrieve its domain name while the non-profits who want to reclaimtheir domain have to follow the route of instituting action in alocal South African court which can be lengthy and expensive.

We say let the not-for-profit, profit from the ADR.