22 December 2000
In October this year, government announced its intention to challenge the ownership of the Internet domain name - www.southafrica.com - through the domain name dispute resolutio procedures established by ICANN at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Subsequent to this announcement, the current owner of the site lodged a lawsuit in the USA against the Republic of South Africa and SATOUR.
Summons has now been received, and it is the intention of government to defend this matter. The Chief State Law Advisor Envir Daniels as well as the State Attorney General's office have been briefed and they are in the process appointing counsel in New York to assist in the defence of this lawsuit.
A number of South African law firms, including three black law firms, are currently collaborating with the Department of Communications and the State Law Advisors to make representations to WIPO in connection with the disputed domain name.
Issued by: Ministry of Communications
Contact: Mandy Jean Woods
Phone: 082 653 4211
Email: mandy@doc.pwv.gov.za