Websites ending in dot-com ruled the Internet for a generation.
Today, the Web is much more congested and dot-com domains have a lot more competition. More than 400 new Internet domains – including options like dot-clothing, dot-wedding and dot-global – can now be used instead of dot-com.
Now, lawyers are getting into the act. Dot-law, slated to launch in the second quarter next year, intends to provide Web surfers seeking counsel added assurance of a lawyer’s credibility. Applicants looking to register a dot-law website will be required to verify that their license to practice law is current, said Antony Van Couvering, chief executive of Mind + Machines Group Ltd., which acquired the exclusive right to issue dot-law Web addresses.
“You’re either a lawyer or you’re not a lawyer,” Van Couvering said. “When somebody has a dot-law website, it means they’re a lawyer – and people will know that immediately because we verify that.”
For 60 days after the anticipated launch of dot-law early next year, the domains will be available only to attorneys and law firms that have registered a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. West L.A.’s Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers reviews applications for new top-level domains and established the two-month window – known as the “sunrise period” – to help prevent potential trademark infringement.
Most of the largest law firms in Los Angeles have trademarked their firms’ names, including Latham & Watkins, O’Melveny & Meyers and Sidley Austin. But not everyone is sold on the dot-law idea.
Catherine Barrad, partner at the downtown L.A. office of Sidley Austin, said law firms generally don’t face much risk of being imitated online by competitors or faux firms.
“I certainly haven’t seen fake websites with names like Sidley,” she said. “With a law firm that has a more common name, there might be a little more confusion, but I’ve never seen a website that is pretending to be something they’re not.”
Still, Barrad added that she wouldn’t be surprised if many firms purchase a dot-law domain, just to be safe.
Jeffrey Kobulnick, partner at Woodland Hills law firm Ezra Brutzkus Gubner, echoed Barrad’s skepticism, noting that he doesn’t think dot-law domains will fix an issue.
“I’m not sure dot-law was really necessary,” Kobulnick said. “It’s really going to be a test over time, as to how people are using the Internet.”
But to keep up with evolving trends, he said that he’s likely to purchase a dot-law domain, just as long as it isn’t too expensive.
Prices for dot-law domains have not yet been set. But, in general, standard domains can sell for as low as $10 or $25 a year. Van Couvering, who would not say what Mind + Machines paid for the right to sell dot-law domains, said he plans to auction off rights to premium dot-law domains – like divorce.law – which could go for tens of thousands of dollars.
– Cale Ottens
