.eu Domain Names

The new .eu domain names registry (EURid) opened on 7^th December 2005. As from this date, there is a two month period during which owners or licensees of registered trade marks and geographical indications and designations of origin within the European Union (EU) can apply for corresponding .eu domain name registration before anybody else.

The only exception is that, if you have trade mark registration for a logo or other picture trade mark, you can apply for .eu domain name registration corresponding to a word which is clearly separate from and predominates over the picture element. There is a 40 day period within which to provide documentary evidence of corresponding trade mark registration within the EU, i.e. registration within an EU member state or a Community trade mark registration covering the whole of the EU, it matters not which.

After this first phase 1 "sunrise" period, there is a second phase 2 two month sunrise period starting on 7th February 2006 during which owners of other rights such as company names and unregistered trade marks may apply in advance of others. Again, there is a 40 day period within which to file documentary evidence of the right relied on.

After this, all other qualifying persons may apply as from 7^th April 2006 (the so-called "landrush").

Only persons, firms, companies or other bodies within the EU may apply for .eu domain name registration, namely, undertakings having their registered office, central administration or principal place of business within the EU, organisations established within the EU, or natural persons resident within the EU, and the address submitted in the application must be within the EU.

The requirements for filing documentary evidence of the registered trade mark or other right relied on are extremely rigid and formalistic. For example:

1. each application must be supported by one (1) set of documentary evidence; it is not permissible to combine different sets of documentary evidence for different applications in one single package or envelope;
2. the size of the sheets of paper must be DIN A4 or Letter format;
3. documents must be printed on opaque white paper;
4. the pages must be consecutively numbered, starting with page no. 1, not including the cover letter;
5. paper must be printed on one side only;
6. documents must be humanly readable when scanned;
7. the documentary evidence must not be retouched or otherwise altered;
8. sheets of paper may not be folded, stapled, glued or in any other way attached to each other.

Even a staple or paper clip being used to fasten papers can lead to an application being summarily rejected.

If you wish to apply for .eu domain name registration during the Phase 1 or Phase 2 sunrise period, please advise us immediately, as all applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis.

Our inclusive fees for filing and prosecuting .eu domain name applications during the two sunrise periods are £200 for a Phase 1 sunrise application, or £250 for a phase 2 sunrise application for which the official fees are higher. This does not include VAT or dealing with any special requirements such as the need to submit documentary evidence in affidavit form for unregistered trade marks or translations of non-English language documents. Registration is for a term of one year.

Please note that, because of the first come first served rule, there is no guarantee that applications will be accepted, and rejected applications will only qualify for a partial refund.

Registration is in the form of e.g. bloggo.eu or 2u.eu; no intermediate "co.", "org." or "net." is needed.