A few days ago, we already posted a message telling you that the .so registry (Somalia) was planning a relaunch of the .so extension during the fall of 2010. The relaunch would happen in 3 phases. We now have some more information:
– 1/11/2010 – 30/11/2010: sunrise
– 1/12/2010 – 15/12/2010: auction of sunrise names
– 16/12/2010 – 9/2/2011: landrush
– 10/2/2011 – 28/2/2011: auction of landrush names
– 1/3/2011: open registrations
During the sunrise a domain name needs to be registered per 3 years, during the landrush and open registrations, a so domain name can be registered per year.
During the sunrise, owners of a registered trademark will get the chance to register the exact same name under the .so domain. If 2 or more persons apply for the same name, the domain name will be sold during an auction after the sunrise. Only the persons who filed an application can participate at this auction.
During the landrush, everyone who wishes to do so can register a domain name under the .so extension. Probably 2 or more people will apply for certain domain names during this phase. If so, those names will be sold during an auction after the landrush.
On March 1st, the open registrations will start. From then on, applications will be treated on a first come, first served basis.