Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd has implemented tough restrictions to register names in the country's ccTLD, .BD, which it runs, according to Domain Incite, citing the local media. These restrictions are truly Draconian: a domain name chosen by its registrant must be an exact match for the company or organization’s name (for legal entities) or the registrant’s full name as it appears in his or her passport (for individuals). Also, the registry has temporarily suspended transfer orders and registrations of new domain names in .BD.
These harsh and, perhaps, excessive measures come in the wake of a high-profile lawsuit. Facebook sued the registrant of the domain facebook.com.bd for cybersquatting in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The domain was registered back in 2008, but Facebook learned about it when a one-page site appeared in the domain, listing it for sale for $6 million. Facebook is asking for the domain to be cancelled and for $50,000 in damages.
According to several Bangladesh media reports, the Dhaka court has issued an injunction in favor of Facebook that would block the domain. However, the domain remains active, and the site listing it for sale for $6 million is still visible in any browser.
