Registering a .com.au?

[community2004]

Hi there,

We run a website that is international and we plan on launching a local version of each site in each country, we've managed to get our brandname in most countries (that we want) but we can't get a .com.au as we're not based in Australia.

Does anyone know a registrar that acts as a proxy address so we can registrar a .com.au?

Thanks for your help!

[Mr Bo Jangles]

might be a bit difficult - I believe you need a registered business name in Aust. or be a company.
Off topic

[edited by: DaveAtIFG at 4:37 am (utc) on Sep. 7, 2004]

[outrun]

You have to a register an ABN Austalian Business Number,which requires you to belocated in Australia, otherwise, can you get a sub domain with au in it and have the Australian version hosted in Australia although hosting is not cheap in Australia.

regards
Mark

[community2004]

That is a proper pain. What about registering one if you have a trademark?

Does this mean that Google, etc have a aussie office, etc their .com.au?

[outrun]

Sorry - I Jumped the Gun a little because of personal experience if you are licensed to trade in Australia then you can purchase a .com.au. which requires you to have an Australian Registered Body Number.

regards,
Mark

[community2004]

Ah ok.

Ok, next question (you can guess this)

How do I go about that? :)

[outrun]

You can start here [asic.gov.au] other then that I cant help you.

regards,

Mark

[fish_eye]

You may also want to look at and ask your question from the Gods of .com.au [auda.org.au]

It's ultimately up to one of the accredited registrars. There are only about 20 so you could try with each I guess. (There's a link from the AUDA.org site.)

There is a move afoot to open the .com.au and .net.au (it's in review) but my hunch is that it will remain closed (although the current debate appears to contradict me).

Yes, Google has an Australian office.

As far as trademark - is it with Australian Trademarks [ipaustralia.gov.au]? If not, is it international (US is not international)?

You may convince an AU registrar if you have an Australian trademark as the AU registrar's have become pretty liberal in their interpretations lately. Mind you, the process of getting an AU TM takes about 9 months!

[community2004]

Thanks for your help guys - will let you know how I get on!