Domain name management provider NetNames (netnames.com) announced on Wednesday that British businesses should ensure they have secured their online brands in the Asian market with the upcoming launch of the .Asia domain name on October 9.

Applications for the new .Asia domain name will be split over two time periods. The first begins on October 9 when companies will be invited to secure their registered trademarks. At this time, government bodies from each country in the region will also be able to secure their domain names.

The second period begins on November 13 when companies, which have already secured their registered trademarks, will be invited to secure additional domain names related specifically to their line of business. The .Asia domain name will then open to the general public in February 2008.

"With the launch date confirmed, British businesses need to ensure they protect their brands from the new threats and maximize any opportunities to build their brands in the growing Asian market," says Jonathan Robinson, COO of NetNames. "Many brands lost out in dramatic fashion during the launch of .eu because they didn't take the issue seriously enough until the eleventh hour."

NetNames was recently selected by Provident Financial to manage its domain name portfolio and protect its brands online, including Provident and Yes Insurance.