Beware of .eu pre-registration sites from non-accredited registrars and of registrars "pooling" their pre-registrations with others to auction to the highest bidder those names where multiple applications are received.

We have been alerted to a number of companies who are not accredited .eu registrars are offering pre-registrations for the new .eu top level domain.

We would like to point out the European Commission, in its regulation 874/2004 has determined that only .eu pre-registrations taken after accreditation may be passed to the registry when registration begins. In addition, only accredited registrars will have access to the automated systems required to register a .eu name.

The Regulation 874/2004 also states that registrars must submit domain name registrations in the order in which they receive them. This requirement is also reflected in our registrar agreement to which all accredited registrars must sign up. However, it has come to our attention that some registrars are 'pooling' the pre-registrations they accept with those of their partner registrars with the intention of auctioning to the highest bidder the first place in the queue for that name. This is in clear breach of the EU regulation and the EURid registrar agreement. Those registrars who participate in such activities risk having their agreement terminated and so will be unable to submit the pre-registrations they have accepted.

We strongly recommend anyone who would like to register a .eu to contact an accredited .eu registrar from the growing list on our web site and to beware of schemes which invite them to participate in auctions.