I attempted to register Meta.sa with Marcaria, but I discovered that in order to register a meta.sa domain, you must have a trademark or be a resident.
Unfortunately, even with Marcaria's trustee service fee of $300+, you cannot register the domain without a trademark. Additionally, Marcaria offers trademark registration services for "meta" in Saudi Arabia for a fee of $2700+.
However, even if you pay for trademark registration, it takes a year to complete, and by that time, the Meta.sa domain may have already been registered by someone else. Despite my efforts, I was unable to secure the domain and had to request a refund. Good luck to anyone who can successfully register this valuable domain.
There are still a lot of available domains, including meta.gm, meta.bt, and many more. Thank you!
The origin of the word "meta" is Greek, meaning "beyond". Facebook's plans, as outlined by Zuckerberg in a blog, align with this concept. The company aims to transcend smartphone screens, distance, and physical laws to create a future that is collaboratively created by everyone. According to The Verge, Zuckerberg has secured a @Meta handle on Twitter and registered the domain meta.com.
Currently, visiting this domain leads to the Facebook "about us" page, which explains the company's plans to build a metaverse. Zuckerberg also announced that they will begin trading shares under the ticker MVRS from December 1, but this shouldn't impact how data is used or shared.
Domains are often tied to branding, and countries enforce trademark laws to prevent misuse of established businesses' names. In this case, "meta" likely has significant implications given its association with Meta Platforms, Inc. To register a name that could be seen as infringing on existing trademarks allows for legal disputes.
The challenge you faced with Marcaria's trustee service is particularly illuminating. While they offer a variety of services aimed at simplifying the registration process, their limitation in not being able to aid in securing a .sa domain without a trademark signifies a structural rigidity in the legal landscape. This means that, despite the fee—which is relatively high—there remains an unresolved issue if you don't own a trademark. It suggests that even well-regarded services have their constraints when interfacing with region-specific regulations.
Moreover, the timeline for obtaining a trademark adds another layer of complexity. As you rightly pointed out, a year-long wait can be considerably risky in the fast-paced environment of online branding. The domain landscape changes rapidly, and an attractive domain can easily be snatched up by another party in that period. This scenario illustrates a critical gap in strategy where being proactive is essential.
For anyone considering a similar venture, several strategies could mitigate these issues. First and foremost, if "meta" cannot be secured due to trademark restrictions, consider exploring similar names that elicit the same brand sentiment. This could involve slight variations or creative alterations, perhaps even using a different top-level domain (TLD) that might be less contested but still recognizable.
Another approach is to engage in preliminary trademark research before investing significant resources. Utilizing services that provide trademark searches can save time and money by identifying potential conflicts early on. Furthermore, if establishing a global presence is your goal, consider looking into trademark registrations in multiple jurisdictions to create a more comprehensive branding strategy.
In addition, forming strategic partnerships can open doors that might otherwise remain closed. If there's an existing trademark holder in Saudi Arabia who's amenable, collaborating with them could enable you to navigate the domain registration more smoothly. This could be mutually beneficial and potentially foster networks that you may not have access to outright.
Be prepared to pivot. The digital landscape is dynamic, and sometimes the best opportunities arise from adapting to circumstances rather than sticking rigidly to a plan that may no longer be viable. Innovate within the constraints you've faced, and focus on showcasing your services or products through creative marketing strategies that don't solely hinge on a specific domain name.
It's outrageous that Marcaria is taking advantage of domain seekers with their exorbitant fees and lengthy processing times. The company is essentially holding domain seekers hostage, forcing them to pay thousands of dollars just to have a chance at registering a domain. The lack of transparency and flexibility in their services is appalling, and it's no wonder that many people are left disappointed and out of pocket.