Changes To Registering Irish Domain Names From March 21st
Big changes are on the horizon for Irish domain names and the .ie domain name registration process. The clock is ticking to March 21st, the date when the need to explain why you want a particular name (also known as ‘claim to the name’) when registering a .ie domain name will be removed.
After March 21st, anybody who has a connection to Ireland will be able to register any domain address on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to think ahead and safeguard your business or brand name by registering on an approved hosting site such as register365.com or letshost.ie.
What will all this mean for Brands and Companies?
Currently, all applicants seeking to have a .ie website must do two things:
1) Prove they have a valid claim to the desired name
2) Prove they have a real, tangible connection to the island of Ireland
When the new regulations come in to play, a ‘claim to the name’ will no longer need to be proved.
The loosening of the ‘claim to the name’ regulation is the last in a series of changes to Irish domain names that have already been implemented by the IEDR, who in the past have brought in changes to allow two letter domain names and the insertion of fadas over letters in Irish web addresses.
The IEDR has also made it possible to sell the right to use Irish domain names since November 2016. To sell a .ie domain through the Secondary Market, you must currently hold the right to use the .ie domain registration you want to sell.
IEDR CEO, David Curtin believes that, ‘By dropping the ‘claim to a name’ requirement but retaining the connection to Ireland, we are removing a hurdle that slows down some registrants from getting started with a .ie address.’
However, the IEDR will be making sure that the Irish connection to .ie names is not lost.
CEO David Curtain stated that, ‘One of .ie’s greatest values is that it is ‘identifiably Irish’. A business with a .ie address is immediately authentic, trustworthy and familiar. For that reason, the requirement to prove a connection to the island of Ireland will not be going away.’
While Irish brands and companies may believe that their brand name and online identity are being protected by IE Domain Registry, this may not always be the case. They must safeguard their hard-won identity and make the effort to secure any .ie domain names that are of value to them.
If you need any assistance with your domain name or website, the ePresence team would be happy to discuss your options with you.
