Launch Date for European Union Domain Announced
October 2005
Beginning December 7, 2005 companies, government bodies and individuals will be able to register their domain name with the European Union’s .eu extension. Special priority will be given to holders of trademarks and other prior rights in the names they wish to register.
The registration will open in several phases. During the initial sunrise period, registrants must have prior rights in the names they wish to register. The first half of the sunrise period, which will run from December 7, 2005 until February 6, 2006, will only be open to government bodies and holders of registered trademarks. The second phase of the sunrise period from February 7, 2006 to April 6, 2006 will be open to all other holders of prior rights, such as entities and creative names. Those who qualify to register their domain name during the sunrise period will be required to apply through an accredited .eu registrar.
Open registrations will begin on April 7, 2006. During all phases of registration, domain names will be registered on a first come, first served basis. So, even if a registrant has a prior right in a name, it is a good idea to register early.
All registrations will be in force for one year. To be eligible to register a name with the .eu extension, applicants must have a registered office or principal place of business within the EU, be an established organization within the EU, or be a resident of a EU country.
For more information, please contact: John C. Pickerill, Intellectual Property