We just wanted to assure that we continue to make progress on the launch of .eu. We are in the final stages of contractual negotiations with the European Commission and will then be able to make an agreement with ICANN and have .eu TLD put into the root.
Before we can launch .eu, we must wait for the Public Policy Rules (PPR) for .eu which are currently being drafted by the European Commission, in consultation with the Member States of the EU.
We do not have any date for completion of the PPR so cannot make a timetable for ?going live' just yet. As soon as the PPR are known we can begin final preparations for launching .eu and begin to accredit .eu registrars.
Many people ask what is so important about the PPR. The EU Regulation which provide the legal framework for .eu and the subsequent Decision on designation of the registry both provide for the European Commission, in consultation with the Member States, to set the rules for registration in .eu. We've set out some indications of what might be covered by these rules in order to demonstrate why we cannot proceed and why it may be too early to make making pre-registrations at this time.
The Public Policy Rules (PPR) might include issues such as:
1. Who can register a domain name:
We already know from the EU Regulation that registrants must be undertakings or organisations established in the EU or natural persons resident within the EU. Registrants will be in breach of the registries terms and conditions if they are found to be non-EU businesses or residents and could lose their domain name. Any further limitations will be made in the PPR.
2. Which names may not be registered under .eu
The EU Regulation on the implementation of .eu, allows the Member States to submit lists of names that will not be available for general registration. This could include geographical names such as their country or city names and names which could be said to be of a racist or defamatory nature.
3. Who will qualify to register .eu domain names during the Sunrise Period
The EU Regulation stipulates that the registry must make a sunrise provision to allow those with 'prior rights' to a name to apply for registration in advance of beginning general registrations. The PPR will determine who may take advantage of this provision.
4. Who may become an accredited .eu registrar
This could include geographical limitations &/or set standards of conduct for registrars.
5. When registration may begin
The PPR could set earliest or latest dates for beginning registration
6. Provisions for the countries which will join the EU next year.
In May next Year the EU will expand from 15 to 25 countries.
As soon as the Public Policy Rules are announced, we will make a timetable for the launch of .eu and inform you of progress.