BarTalk October 2000
Volume 12, Number 5

The .ca domain registry will soon be transferred from the volunteer-run CDNnet.ca to a new entity, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA). In order to be protected, all existing .ca domain names must be pre-registered with CIRA. Visit www.cira.ca for important deadlines and changes expected to result from this transfer.

It is important to note that domain names can function as trademarks – trademark implications should be considered when choosing domain names, particularly now that CIRA will allow registration of more than one .ca domain name per entity. The easing of former restrictions on the number of domain names that a single entity may own increases the likelihood of cybersquatting. These changes are of particular interest not only to owners of .ca domain names, but also to owners of Canadian trademarks. The Intellectual Property Group at Lang Michener would be pleased to provide advice and assistance in this regard.

Thanks to Lang Michener for providing this update.

This article was published in the October 2000 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2005, all rights reserved.