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Canada NewsWire |  |
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Canada NewsWire | |
Attention Business/High Technology Editors:
Firm Plans to Give Domain Name to Prime Minister
OTTAWA, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - Momentous.ca, an Internet firm operated by Robert
Hall one of the pioneers of Internet enterprises in Canada, announced today
that he has successfully registered the domain name JeanChretien.ca
According to Mr. Hall, his firm registered JeanChretien.ca in the hope of
protecting the domain name from cybersquatters. "We noticed that the domain
name was available, and took immediate action to secure it before others could
use it for nefarious purposes." said Mr. Hall.
At midnight last night, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority
(CIRA) started accepting applications for .ca domain names under a new set of
rules. Formerly, to obtain a top-level .ca domain name like JeanChretien.ca
you had to be federally incorporated or own the registered trademark.
Last night, all of that changed and there was a gold rush for available
.ca domain names. CIRA started processing applications at midnight last night
and it may take them a couple of days to get through the large queue they had
amassed. Once CIRA has finished processing the backlog, they will begin
accepting registrations through registrars like internic.ca in real time.
Prior to the rule change, there were only about 100,000 .ca domain names
in existence. Surprisingly, there were less than 90,000 new .ca domains
waiting in CIRA's queues for processing when the clock stuck midnight.
There are currently over one million .com domain names held by Canadians.
"Canadians need to take note of these changes and act quickly to secure the
domain name they want." says Hall, "I expect that over the next few weeks, we
will see a few hundred thousand domain names registered as Canadians realize
the profound impact of these rule changes.
Mr. Hall has no plans to develop the web site www.JeanChretien.ca. The
domain was registered for the sole purpose of protecting the domain against
cybersquatters. Mr. Hall plans to turn over the domain for free to
Mr. Chretien should he want it. When asked if some form of recognition would
be appropriate, Mr. Hall jokingly said that perhaps a reciprocal gesture of
similar magnitude and importance. "Something in the order of a seat in the
Senate or perhaps a special appointment of some other kind, like Canada's
Ambassador for Internet Relations. I like the sound of that.", laughed
Mr. Hall.
About Robert Hall
Robert Hall is President of Momentous.ca, which operates Canada leading
Internet registrar, Internic.ca. He started one of the first Internet Service
Providers in Canada and has been active in Canadian Internet regulatory
affairs for several years. He founded one of the first Internet Service
Providers in Canada and was one of the principal founders of the Canadian
Association of Internet Providers (CAIP). Mr. Hall was a founder of and first
Chairman of CIRA.
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For further information: Shaun Markey Communications, Shaun Markey, (613) 728-9951 toll free 1-877-562-7539, E-mail: smarkey@ftn.net or Momentous.ca Corporation Website: www.momentous.ca