.sa Second Level Domain Name Registration Now Available in Saudi Arabia
20 September 2012
The Saudi Network Information Centre (SaudiNIC) has announced that the all important (.sa) domain name regime is now available for registration with its launch in two phases:
Sunrise Phase
This Sunrise Phase runs from January 10, 2011 to March 7, 2011. This period represents a priority period for existing Third Level (3LD) Domain Name Registrants who had registered their 3LD domain name before the Sunrise Phase.
Only eligible registrants may apply during the Sunrise Phase to register a (.sa) Second Level (2LD) domain name with a label identical to that of their existing 3LD domain name. Thus, those owning existing registrations for, e.g., www.yourcompany.com.sa, may apply for www.yourcompany.sa
Where two applications are received for the same Arabic domain name during the sunrise period, priority will be given first to governmental and semi-government organisations (i.e., gov.sa) and then to the holder of the priority trademark or trade name rights.
Landrush Phase
Following the Sunrise Phase, the Landrush Phase begins where applicants can register (.sa) domain names on a firstcome, first-served basis.
The usual requirements of domain name registration apply, i.e. the applicant must:
(i) be physically located in Saudi Arabia,
(ii) be a Saudi national,
(iii) be a business licensed to operate in Saudi Arabia, or
(iv) own a trademark or trade name registered in Saudi Arabia.
Importantly, foreign trademark owners should note that if they do not have a business presence or are not licensed to operate in Saudi Arabia, they must have a trademark or trade name registration in Saudi Arabia.
The (.sa) domain is a coveted one, as it is arguably the definitive identifier in cyberspace as the domain of choice for entities connected to Saudi Arabia, who would want to own a (.sa) domain name in cultivating one’s cyber-presence in reaching the lucrative Saudi Arabia market.
Saudi Arabia is the United States' 9th-largest trading partner in goods, trading a total of US$67 billion in 2008. The United States and Saudi Arabia entered into a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2004, which established a formal dialogue to promote increased trade and investment between the two countries.
