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PKNIC is the organization designated by the government of Pakistan to manage the administration of the .pk domain name in Pakistan and worldwide. If you are starting a new business in Pakistan and particularly targeting the customer base in Pakistan, you will probably go with the .pk domain name. This is not just a simple registration as it requires a proper process following before you get it. So, before you opt-out to any company to help you with it, you must know the eligibility criteria and the requirements any applicant needs to fulfill. However, before digging into it, let’s talk about the PKNIC a bit for your information.
About PKNIC
PKNIC is in charge of managing the .PK domain name space, including the management of the DNS for the Root-Servers.PK domains, as well as the registration and maintenance of all.PK domain names. PKNIC is run as an autonomous organization.
Many web hosting companies work with PKNIC to serve their clients with domain names. You may trust your provider to the very core; still, you need to ensure that you follow the process properly.
What do you need to know about the agreement of PKNIC for registering a PK domain?
You will need to go over the agreement again on your own to ensure that you understand it fully. We’ve included some excerpts from the PKNIC policy below to help you understand it better. As a result, you’ll be able to grasp it quickly and know whether or not your PK domain registration was effective.
· First come, first serve:
Listing service is the registration of a domain name. The listing service for names within the.pk delegated namespace is provided on a first-come, first-served basis (except where it infringes on a registered trade name) and is governed by the.PK domain’s administration policies as defined by the delegated authority. The registration feature does not trade in or license any entity (including the listing requesting entity) to trade in the requested name in any way.
· Rights of transfer:
If a party argues that a domain name already registered with PKNIC infringes on their licensed trade name or is a clear shortened version of their registered company name, PKNIC reserves the right to pass the domain to the accusing party if they registered their trade name, trademarks, or registered company name at least one year before the domain name in question’s registration date.
· Admin contact required in Pakistan:
While desirable, the .PK domain name may not be physically available in Pakistan. However, at least one administrative contact must be located in Pakistan. Companies with offices in more than three countries and annual sales above US$ 5 million are exempt from the requirement for a local Admin touch.
· Maintenance fee:
The maintenance fee is non-refundable, even though the applicant requests that the domain name be removed.
· Government domains:
Domains ending in .GOV.PK and domains belonging to government-owned educational institutions are excluded from the maintenance tax.
There is a lot to learn, and you can find a comprehensive agreement on the PKNIC website or ask the domain provider for assistance.
How to settle the disputes over the domain rights?
In Pakistan, disputes over the right to use a specific domain name can be resolved through the normal legal channels (i.e., the courts) or the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Centre (DNDRC). In Pakistan, the DNDRC is the sole provider of dispute resolution services for ‘.pk’ domain names. The DNDRC’s dispute resolution procedure follows the PKNIC Internet Domain Registration Policy, the ICANN Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy and corresponding regulations, and the DNDRC Supplemental Rules. The DNDRC’s decisions bind the parties.
With the creation of the domestic registry and the inclusion of provisions dealing with domain names in the Trademarks Ordinance, effective processes for the registration and protection of domain names as trademarks are now in place. Furthermore, the processes for resolving PK domain name conflicts help to hold the unauthorized use of trademarks as domain names in check, as well as to provide trademark owners with protection and relief. In Pakistan, these processes raise public awareness and understanding of domain names.
Bottom Line
These are some of the most important things to understand about PKNIC domain registration. While you’re at it, be cautious when selecting companies for the PK domain. There are different categories for it, and you must go further into a company’s authorization to prevent potential disputes. If you search the internet for reputable firms, you can find a plethora of them. We recommend getting to know their programs and getting the information first, and avoiding something that seems suspicious.
Furthermore, make certain that you find a domain registration provider that you can rely on. So, if you are looking for the domain namespace, you must know about the policy of PKNIC. Besides, you can explore the offers by web hosting companies for affordability.
