Internet domain names fall under the regulations of the ae Domain Administration within the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in the United Arab Emirates. The ae Domain Administration was enabled in 2007 and also acts as Registry Operator. The .ae domain is the country’s top-level domain for the United Arab Emirates. Domain name registration in Dubai is permitted at the second or third level based on certain category labels. According to the ae Domain Administration, only Dubai companies are currently allowed to use co.ae as a domain name for their websites. The ae Domain Administration also establishes and enforces the policies for the .ae domain.
If you want to reserve a domain name and need assistance, our company formation agents in Dubai can help you. We can also guide those who want to start e-commerce businesses in Dubai.
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The .ae domain name in Dubai
The .ae domain name is UAE’s country top-level domain and is currently managed by the .ae Domain Administration (aeDA). The .ae domain name can also be used in Arabic. The UAE domain name registration authority also allows the registration of second-level and third-level domain names. In the past few years, several changes in the telecommunications regulations have been made and now, UAE-based companies can use co.ae domain names as long as the selected name is connected to their commercial activities.
Those who want to purchase domain names must register them with an accredited registrar. However, it is important for them to verify if the respective registrar is approved by the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
If you want to open a company in Dubai and need to reserve a domain name, our local consultants can offer assistance.
Eligibility criteria when reserving a Dubai domain name
It should be noted that companies and citizens or residents of Dubai who want to purchase domain names must match the eligibility criteria imposed by the Telecommunications Authority. The following requirements must be complied with when reserving an internet domain name in Dubai:
- meeting the unrestricted or restricted zone licensing requisites under the Domain Name Policy;
- companies operating in the technology/information technology sector can use the .co.ae and .net.ae extensions;
- non-profit organizations, associations and education facilities can use the .org.ae, .sch.ae and .ac.ae extensions;
- governmental and military facilities can use .gov.ae, respectively .mil.ae extensions.
It is important to understand that the reservation of the respective domain names must be made by submitting various documents and licenses issued by relevant authorities. In the case of companies, these are required to file their certificates of registration, the Articles of Association.
Foreign investors can also register domain names in Dubai as long as they respect the legislation in this field. Our company registration advisors in Dubai can offer detailed information on the regulations that need to be respected upon the reservation of a domain name as a foreigner.
Obtaining a domain name license in Dubai
In order to use the .ae domain name, companies in Dubai and in other emirates are required to obtain a domain name license. Companies cannot own a name, that is why they are required to apply for a special license which is granted for a specific period of time and according to certain conditions. The terms and conditions for using the .ae domain name are set out in the following documents:
- the domain name registration application,
- the domain name license,
- the applicant’s agreement to use the .ae domain,
- the policy as established by the ae Domain Administration.
All companies in Dubai applying for a domain name reservation are also subject to certain eligibility criteria.
You can also watch our video on domain name reservation in Dubai:
Rights related to domain name reservation in Dubai
Any Dubai citizen or company applying for domain name reservation must know that the domain name license does not provide them any intellectual property rights over the license or the domain name. Moreover, the applicant must make sure the chosen domain name does not violate the rights of third parties or any legislation and it is not offensive. The period a domain name license can be granted for ranges between one and five years.
The Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy in Dubai
As the number of e-commerce companies and businesses operating in the information technology has increased, the Telecom Regulatory Authority created the UAE Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy in 2010. The policy provides for the resolution of disputes related to the use of domain names but it also contains specific provisions about the registration and renewal of .ae domain names.
One of the most important provisions implies for the Registrar to cancel, transfer or change a domain registration receipt if a competent court or tribunal makes a request in this sense.
Those who want to register domain names in Dubai should understand that the protection of the selected name is now enhanced thanks to Section 6 in the Policy which provides for administrative proceedings related to disputes to be tried by the World International Property Organization (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Centre. Moreover, domain names can be registered as trademarks in Dubai.
Through this policy, the UAE has also adhered to WIPO’s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy.
Those who need information on the new Domain Name Policy can ask our Dubai company formation representatives. We can also assist with the registration of domain names as trademarks in the UAE.
The composition of the .ae domain names in Dubai
Domain names in Dubai must respect the following indications:
- they may not begin with a number,
- they may contain English or Arabic numbers, but not English and Arabic numbers at once,
- they may not begin or end with a dash,
- they may not contain spaces,
- they may only contain dashes after the third and fourth positions.
Why start an Internet-based business in Dubai?
In the last few years, the UAE has adhered to many international conventions and regulations which is one of the main reasons for its current thriving economy. Apart from its traditional industries, Dubai as an emirate of the UAE has had an incredible economic development thanks to the registration of a growing number of e-commerce companies.
According to recent statistics, the UAE had the most flourishing e-commerce market in the Gulf Cooperation Council region in 2019 and the predictions for the following years also look good. In numbers:
- e-commerce transactions are expected to reach a total of 16 billion USD for 2019;
- for the years 2018 to 2022, the e-commerce sector is predicted to grow by 23%;
- by September 2019, the mobile penetration rate in the UAE had grown by a spectacular 210.9%;
- UAE online shoppers spend an average of 1,648 USD per year and in 2020 the amount is expected to increase by 20%.
The .dubai domain name is not available yet, but the authorities are working towards providing this service. For information about the accredited domain names registers, you may contact our company formation agents in Dubai.