Register Requirements and Criteria France

January 10, 2009

When submitting a registration application, the holder of a domain name must designate “an administrative contact” and maintain this contact throughout the entire usage period of the domain name. This contact can be changed via the registrar. The administrative contact is, at the holder’s discretion, an individual or a corporate entity which may be external to the holder, for instance a registrar.

Second level domains can be broken down into:

  • .tm.fr for holders of brands
  • .asso.fr for associations
  • .nom.fr for surnames
  • .com.fr which is opened to any identified applicant, with no requirement to prove the requested name

Individuals or corporate entities in one of the following three categories can register a.fr first level domain name:

  • Corporate entities whose headquarters are located in France or which have premises in France.
  • Brand holders Individuals or corporate entities which hold a brand registered with the national institute of industrial property or which hold a registered community trademark or international brand targeted specifically at the French market and which can be identified from the ICIMARQUES (INPI) database.
  • Individuals Adult individuals with an address in France.

Special rules within the .tm.fr second level descriptive domain

The .tm.fr extension is reserved for brand holders who wish to use their registered brand or part of the “brand field” as their domain name. The following proof is accepted by the Registry: a registration application approved by the INPI a final OHIM or WIPO certificate, provided that France appears as one of the countries affected by the registration With regard to .fr domain names created further to a registration application approved by the INPI, it is stipulated that:

  • if the registration application for the brand sent to the INPI is rejected during the acceptance check and does not receive the status of “registered”, the Registry simply withdraws the domain name without notice and informs the registrar. The domain name then reverts to the public domain
  • if the brand is not published in the BOPI (French official bulletin of industrial property) within the regulatory period of 6 (six) weeks by the INPI and does not obtain “published” status, the Registry blocks the domain name for a period of 30 (thirty) days. If the situation is not rectified or additional information provided, the domain name is withdrawn without notice or compensation and the registrar is informed
  • if the brand has not been registered within the regulatory period of 6 (six)months by the INPI and does not obtain “registered” status, the Registry blocks the domain name for a period of 30 (thirty) days. If the situation is not rectified or additional information provided, the domain name is withdrawn without notice or compensation and the registrar is informed.

Choosing domain names

The applicant may select any term(s) of his/her choice as a domain name and bears sole responsibility for this choice. The applicant bears sole responsibility for checking the compliance of the requested domain name with the following (non exhaustive) list:

  1. the terms must not appear in the list of “prohibited terms”
  2. the terms must comply with syntax constraints
  3. the terms must not infringe third party rights, in particular:
    • intellectual property (literary and artistic property and/or industrial property)
    • competitive rules and proper business conduct
    • the right to the last name, first name or alias of a person
  4. the terms must not contravene public decency or order, and in particular must not include any word:
    • stipulated under the law of 29 July 1881 on the freedom of the press
    • likely to be detrimental to the physical, mental or moral development of minors.
  5. the terms must not correspond with the name of a regional authority, as published by the INSEE, with the exception of holders of brands bearing this same name registered before 1985.

Principle of chronological processing of administrative acts

Administrative acts sent to the Registry by registrars are processed according to the “first come – first served” principle, in other words on the basis of the chronological order of receipt of applications. The technical installation of domain names takes place on the day on which the Registry processes the application, for administrative acts which are administratively and technically in line with the Registry naming charter.

Syntax Rules for Domain Names Under .FR

January 10, 2009

Alphanumeric terms consisting of letters of the alphabet between A and Z, numbers from 0 to 9 and the hyphen symbol “ ” are accepted as domain names. The following domain names cannot be registered:

  • names which consist of a single character
  • names which consist of only two letters
  • names which start or end with a hyphen “ ”
  • names that comprise over 255 characters (63 between each “.” )
  • names that start with “xn ”.

.KE Reaches 10,000 Registrations

January 9, 2009

While larger ccTLDs reach milestones in the millions, there are smaller ccTLDs for which 10,000 registrations, given the economic situation and internet infrastructure, are major achievements.

This is the case of .KE domain names, that hit the 10,000 mark on December 19, 2008, according to the Kenyan Domain Registry.

500,000 .CZ Domain Names Registered

January 2, 2009

At the end of December 2008, .CZ Domain Authority announced there were 500,000 .cz domain names registered.

The registration of .cz domains has rapidly increased since October 2007, due to the new registration system called FRED with more than 200,000 domains have been registered since its introduction.

The .cz domain register is one of the fastest growing globally. If compared to 2007 there was an approximately 35% increase in .cz domain registrations.

.GOV Domain Names

January 2, 2009

USA Government owns two domain extensions for its exclusive use: .gov and .mil. The .gov extension is a sTLD that ICANN granted it in 1985. One of its main advantages is that visitors know the website in fact belongs to a governmental entity.

The administrator of this extension is GSA (General Services Administration), an agency that is independent from the Government. The annual registration fee is $ 125 and requires the delivery of an authorization to GSA of the competent authority, which varies according to the entity who is requesting the domain name.

Who may register a .gov?

  • Departments, programs and Federal Agencies of United States
  • Entities and programs at state level
  • Cities, towns, counties, districts and territories in United States

Who cannot register a .gov?:

  • International organizations
  • Private entities
  • Military entities (except for some exceptions)
  • Initiatives or local programs
  • Cities, towns, counties not represented by an elected person

There is a series of rules regarding how the domain should be. For example, states must indicate their name or abbreviation in the domain name (virginia.gov, tennesseeanytime.gov, wa.gov, ne-taxes.gov) and the use of the abbreviation should not be confusing. Indiana (in) could not register win.gov or independence.gov.

Obama has made use of this extension: change.gov.

FAQ Greece

January 1, 2009

What is a domain name ?

A domain name is a mnemonic way to identify an Internet site. The extension of the domain name can also help locate the “geographic region” to which the domain name belongs. Thus, for the .gr domain name space the actual mnemonic term will be “domainname.gr” and we may visit the website using a broswer and typing in the address “http://www.domainname.gr”

How can I register a domain name?

A domain name can be submitted via a Registrar.

I have registered a domain name but I don’t know how to create a website. What should I do?

A domain name is just a word if it has not been connected to a website containing actual content or to some IPs. In order to make this connection, at least 2 Nameservers must be stated for your domain name. The Nameservers are responsible for “guiding” visitors to your website. Nameserver information is provided to you by your chosen domain name hosting (web hosting) provider.

If I register a . GR domain name with ICS FORTH is there a chance that someone else can use the same domain name with the same domain extension?

The Registry of .gr Domain Names is responsible for the registrations of domain names under the .gr top level domain name space and each registration into the .gr database is guaranteed to be unique. Please note that domainname.gr differs from domainname.com which also differs from domainname.de, which may exist and be functional, but a second exact domainname.gr can not exist. Domain names are ceded by the National Telecommunications & Posts Commission and are stated as registered in the .gr database.

What does it mean to REGISTER A DOMAIN NAME?

To REGISTER A DOMAIN NAME under the .gr top level domain name space means that a proper application has been submitted for the desired domain name which in turn is examined by the National Telecommunications & Posts Commission who will then cede the exclusive use of the domain name to the Registrant.

I just submitted an application. When will my domain name be active?

The domain name will be active within a maximum timeframe of 3 hours from the moment in which the domain name has been submitted by the Registrar to the Registry of .gr Domain Names.

The domain name will not become active if it is not in accordance with the registration conditions as set out by the 351/76 decision of the N.T.P.C. Such domain names will only become active when ceded by the N.T.P.C.

What is the status of the domain name if my application is accepted and the requested domain name is in line with the rules & regulations?

With the initial acceptance of the application, the domain name is placed in a holding status (PENDING CREATE) and the domain name will become active within a maximum timeframe of 3 hours, assuming nameserver information has been stated on the domain name application. The Registrant assumes the responsibility of the domain name as soon as it is placed in a PENDING CREATE status. Applications for domain names which have been automatically characterized PENDING REJECT will not become active and the N.T.P.C. shall decided on the final cession (or not) regardless of their characterization.

Does a domain name contract or agreement have to be signed?

By submitting the application, paying the registration fee and submitting the requested documents you agree on the terms & conditions as set out in the 351/76 of 15 4 2005 decision of the N.T.P.C..

The domain name registration will be completed based on the information submitted via the online application of the registry. Any errors on the application or failure to pay the registration fee to the registrar may result in the rejection of the domain name.

Are there any restricted domain names?

There are and you should make sure to find out what they are prior to submitting an application.

All of my company’s products are trademarked and therefore protected and can not be registered as domain names by a third party, correct?

Wrong. All applicants requesting a .gr domain name state that they are knowingly not infringing any third party rights by requesting the domain name. This statement does not protect your rights but could lead to the cancellation of the domain name by the N.T.P.C, the Greek court system or an arbitration system, if the applicant does not have rights towards the domain they requested. Domain names are granted on a First Come First Serve basis.

How many registered domains can one have?

There is no limit on the number of domain names applicants can register under the .gr domain name space. This applies to all companies, freelance professionals and individuals regardless of nationality.

Are domain name ownership transfers possible?

Domain name ownership transfers are possible. Please contact your Registrar in order to receive the proper domain name transfer documents.

Can I register domain names containing Greek characters, such as ίδρυματεχνολογίαςέρευνας.gr ?

Registering domain names containing Greek characters is permitted since 4/7/2005 (07.00 utc). The names registered may contain all Greek characters and alternative punctuations (including perispomeni, dasia, ypogegrammeni, etc). With the submission of the domain name’s punctuated form by the user, the equivalent unpunctuated lower case name is also activated and without any additional costs, which is considered the main form of the registered domain name on which the Registry’s checks take place. In case the submitted application is for an unpunctuated domain name the user does not have the right to a cost free activation of a punctuated domain name.

Automatically Reserved Greek Names? What does that mean?

The registered domain names containing Greek characters also reserve all of their alternative punctuations which only the domain name’s owner has the right to activate whenever he wishes, with the payment of the equivalent cost for each activated domain name. Activation of the reserved names may take place during the period of the temporary activation of a domain name with a “Pending Create” status that has not yet received final approval by the NTCP.

Homograph names? What does that mean? Who has the right to activate them?

Homograph names are those domain names whose variable field is consisted of alpharithmetic characters which VISUALLY match the lower or upper, punctuated or unpunctuated form, and their non variable field is the same. For example, let’s consider the names eett.gr and εεττ.gr whose capital form is visually the same (EETT.gr and ΕΕΤΤ.gr). We should point out to those interested to the fact that audibly similar or visual dissimilar names are not covered by the above definition (for example, maria.gr has no homograph because the character ρ has no visually similar character in the Greek alphabet while one homograph of the domain name μαρια.gr is the latin mapia.gr which in capital case becomes ΜΑΡΙΑ.gr).

The right to activate homograph names is reserved for the domain name owner to which the homographs in question are referring to. For the activation of each of those homograph names the owner has to contact their Registrar, and pay the necessary fee.

Domain Auctions of .NG domains

December 19, 2008

The President of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) inaugurated its Auction committee on December 3, 2008. The committee has the responsibility of fashioning out auction guidelines and procedures for the .ng domain.

This is both for special registrations on the second level like mybank.ng, and also premium domains on the third level, like doctors.com.ng, shop.com.ng, among others.

The work of the committee is expected to herald a new beginning in the utilization of .ng and is expected to submit its final report in early January with the first auctions expected either late January or first week of February.

With domain names being available at varying prices through the auction, the management of NIRA expects this will be a great benefit to all Nigerians wanting a domain name, whether it is paying a premium for a premium domain name, or to get a name for a small business.