.biz registry services via PhilippineRegistry.com

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the body overseeing the global top-level domain name management system and licensing of domain name registrants, has created a new top-level Internet domain strictly for business: .biz.

The good news is that Manila-based PhilippineRegistry.com Inc. was recently granted accreditation by ICANN to offer .biz registry services, making it the first and only Philippine-based accredited registry of the .biz domain name.

PhilippineRegistry.com works hand-in-hand with the US-based NeuLevel Inc., which ICANN appointed to manage the central .biz database worldwide.

"The .biz domain name is strictly for businesses of all sizes. It also aims to protect consumer brands and trademarks. The .com domain space is full of misclassified domain names. Everyone can register .com domains even if they’re not commercial entities," says Adriel Mirto, vice chairman of PhilippineRegistry.com Inc.

PhilippineRegistry.com Inc. offers registry services that will assist Philippine businesses protect their trademarks and brand names through a three-step process:

• "IP claim," which allows companies to "claim" intellectual property rights to their registered, applied for, or common law trademarks or service marks. This service will be until Aug. 6.

• Filing of .biz domain name applications, and

• Selection and acquisition. Reservations for .biz domain names began last July 5 and will end Sept. 30.

Beginning Oct. 1, Philip-pineRegistry.com Inc. (www.philippineregistry.com) goes "live" with its .biz registration service, when all registrants worldwide start availing themselves of the .biz domain.

"If there’s a dispute, the domain name will be frozen for 30 days after the .biz domain is made available globally on Oct. 1," Mirto said.