In accordance with paragraph (6-4) of the Saudi Domain Name Registration Regulations, which requires a relationship between the domain name and the registrant, this document outlines guiding criteria for determining this relationship when requesting domain name registration. These criteria are advisory and do not override the terms and conditions specified in the registration regulations. They are subject to continuous updates, and the latest version will be used to verify the relationship in case of ambiguity.

These criteria serve as a reference for selecting a domain name to register. They do not grant any inherent right to register or maintain a domain name, nor do they permit infringement on others' rights. The registrant is responsible for taking appropriate measures to protect and secure the domain names they wish to register.

The registrant must provide evidence of the relationship between the domain name and themselves. The Center may use this document to verify the relationship, even after registration, on a periodic or random basis. This document may also be used by the Authority in case of objections to a domain name registration.

Each registration request is evaluated independently, without reference to prior domain name registration decisions. For example, the approval of the domain name (zayd-homes.sa) for Zayd Real Estate Company does not support a request by Omar Real Estate Company to register (omar-homes.sa).

1. Relationship with the Registrant's Name

1.1 The domain name matches and indicates the registrant's name

This is satisfied when the domain name segment exactly matches one or more words of the registrant's name (in Arabic or English) in the same order, clearly indicating the registrant without ambiguity.

1.2 The domain name is a logical abbreviation of the registrant's name

This criterion is more applicable to English domain names, as Arabic words are less divisible and thus have fewer abbreviations. Abbreviations include shortened forms (abbreviations) or acronyms.

• Abbreviations: A new word formed from two or more words, taking parts of their pronunciation and meaning, e.g., "Email" from "Electronic Mail" or "بسمل" from "بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم".
• Forms of Abbreviations:
  • First Form: First letter of the word, e.g., meter = m, page = p.
  • Second Form: Initial letters of a word (if commonly practiced), e.g., Continued = cont, Network = Net.
  • Third Form: Multiple letters from a word without order (if commonly practiced), e.g., assistant = asst, kilometer = km.
• Acronyms: Words formed from the first letter of each word in a phrase, e.g., Network Information Center = NIC, very important person = VIP.
• Phrases Ignored in Abbreviations: Terms like "co.", "ltd.", "شركة", "مؤسسة", or articles like "the", "of" are disregarded.
• Arabic Abbreviations: Rare, but examples include ت = telephone, ص ب = postbox, ذ م م = limited liability.
• Combining Abbreviations: A segment may logically represent the registrant's name (in pronunciation and meaning), e.g., SaudiNIC.net.sa for Saudi Network Information Center.

1.3 The domain name is derived from the registrant's name

This provides flexibility for registrants to register a domain derived from their name, including transliteration, translation, or adding words related to their activities. Proof of this relationship may be required.

2. Relationship with a Trademark

2.1 The domain name matches or is derived from a registered trademark owned by the registrant

The domain name segment must exactly match the trademark without additions or omissions, except for symbols not allowed in domain names (e.g., $, @). It may also be derived through transliteration or adding/removing words, but not through abbreviations. Proof of the relationship may be required.

3. Close Relationship with the Registrant

This criterion allows flexibility for registrants to register domain names closely related to them but not directly tied to their official name or trademark. The registrant must provide clear evidence, including:

• What the domain name indicates (meaning of its letters/words).
• Purpose of registration and its relationship to the registrant.
• Services provided through the domain and the target audience.

A "close relationship" means the domain refers to something specific to the registrant (e.g., products, services, events, or projects) without ambiguity or infringement on others' rights.

4. Individuals

4.1 Registering a Personal Name

Individuals may register personal names (first or family name) under (.pub.sa, .sa, or .السعودية), followed by a number, or combine multiple names without numbers.

4.2 Registering Other Domains

Individuals may register other domain names, provided they do not infringe on others' rights, and must clarify:

• What the domain name indicates.
• Purpose of registration and its relationship to the registrant.
• Services provided and target audience.