Countdown to EU internet domain is on

22-04-2005

by Charlie Taylor

The final countdown to the advent of Europe's own internet identity has begun with the dot-eu (.eu) domain name expected to be live from the start of 2006.

However, the European Commission has warned companies who are eager to register for the new address to stay away from pre-registration services because of the risk of fraud.

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is set to put the dot-eu top level domain in the internet root, following the signing of an agreement between the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and EURid, the organisation charged with managing the dot-eu Registry.

The move means that from the beginning of 2006, businesses and citizens will be able to register dot-eu internet addresses in addition to countrywide domain names such as dot-ie (.ie) and as a consequence will be able to benefit from higher visibility within the EU single market.

"The agreement reached between ICANN and EURid constitutes a landmark in the history of the dot-eu project. It gives the green light for the final technical preparations to permit dot-eu to become a reality before the end of the year," said Viviane Reding the EU's Information Society and Media Commissioner

Before the dot-eu Registry can accept the first applications to register dot-eu names, EURid must accredit companies which can register domains on behalf of end users and agree the details of registration policy with the Commission and other interested parties. EURid is currently working on these final preparations with the aim of launching the first phase of registration later this year.

The second phase of registration is due early next year when domain names will be opened to EU citizens and companies on a first-come, first-served basis. Some firms have already begun to offer to reserve domain names on behalf of interested parties but the EU has warned against availing of such services.

"The Commission is aware that some companies are already offering to 'pre-register' or 'reserve' domain names, essentially by offering to make an application for the registration of a domain name to registrars as soon as the registration process is formally initiated. Given a risk of confusion and even fraud, use of 'pre-registration' services is not recommended by the Commission," said an EU statement issued on Wednesday "In any case consumers and companies are encouraged to check exactly what is and what is not being offered."

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the international body in charge of managing internet domains, gave the official go-ahead to the creation of the European top level domain late in March following six months of negotiations between the national body and EURid. But the project was first mooted way back in early 2002 with the expectation that the dot-eu address would be live by the end of 2003.