I would like to register a new .ee domain. What information do I have to submit to the registrar?
The information to be submitted upon registration of a domain name has been indicated in article 4.1.1 of the Domain Regulation, which says that the registrant is required to disclose the following information in the Domain
Name registration application:
a) the domain name being applied for;
b) the domain names and IP addresses of at least two name servers for the domain name;
c) name of the administrative contact, Estonian personal identification code, place of residence, telephone number and e-mail address;
d) technical contact's name, registry or personal identification code (or date of birth in the case of the absence of the latter), address, telephone number and e-mail address;
e) in the case of a registrant that is a legal person, their name, address of location, registry code, telephone number and fax number (if present) and e-mail address;
f) in the case of a registrant who is a natural person, the given and family name, personal identification code (or date of birth in the case of the absence of the latter), mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address.
Furthermore, it the domain is registered by the registrants representative (administrative contact), they must have a written power of attorney from the registrant or the right arising from the Estonian legislation in force to register this domain on behalf of the registrant.
Are any restrictions applicable to the domain name selection?
Yes. Domain Regulation establishes a number of restrictions on the shape of the domain name. First, a domain name may contain only numbers (0-9), dashes and letters. The minimum length of a domain name is 2 and the maximum length is 63 symbols. In addition, uppercase and lowercase characters are not differentiated in domain names and a domain name may not begin or end with a dash. It may also not contain a dash concurrently as the third or fourth symbol.
In addition, the selection of domain names may further be restricted by article 6.1.5 of the Domain Regulation stating that the EIF may refuse to register the Domain Name or delete the registration only with good reason, including, first and foremost, if the Domain Name is in contravention of public order or generally recognised moral standards or if it may mislead the public.
Who is the registrar?
The registrar is a company or authority authorised by the Estonian Internet Foundation, who provides registrants with domain registration services. The registrars are usually Internet service and server hosting service providers. However, anyone who complies with the requirements established to registrars can become a registrar.
Who is the registrant?
A registrant is a person in whose name a domain name is registered. A registrant may be an individual or an entity.
What is the registry?
The registry of the Estonian domain names is the Estonian Internet Foundation.
What registration services can be done through registrars?
According to the Domain Regulation, there are seven registration services and all of them can be done via registrars. These are:
1. registration of a domain name;
2. deletion of a registration;
3. renewal of a registration;
4. transfer of a domain name;
5. updating contact details;
6. administration of name server entries;
7. changing the registrar.
I would like to register a second domain name for my company and one domain for myself. Is that possible?
Yes, it is. With the liberalisation of the rules, enterprises and individuals are now able to register an unlimited number of domains in their name.
How high will be the price of a domain?
The registrar will set the price of annual registration of a domain. The register establishes the same basic domain registration fee applicable to all registrars. The final price of a domain will be determined by the market competition. Thus, the final price may be lower than the basic fee, equal to the basic fee or higher than the basic fee.
Will a fee be charged for registration of a pri.ee domain name as well?
Yes. The fee system of registration of domain names under all general domains (including pri.ee) will be harmonised with the second-level domain names (like domainname.ee). However, now individuals can register second-level domain names as well.
I already have a .ee domain. What should I do?
All .ee domain registrants that wish to preserve their domain name must re-register their domain(s) via the registrar of their choice during the transitional period. Re-registration requirement is for all domain names registered priour to the regulation change on the 5th of July.
Who can re-register existing domains?
An existing domain can only be re-registered by the authorised representative of the institution or person who registered the domain before the regulation change in the former registry(EENet). The representative’s right to represent the registrant must arise from the legislation in force in Estonia or a written power of attorney of the registrant.
What happens to a domain name that is registered to a institution that has been deleted from the Estonian Central Commercial Registry?
Since in these cases the institution to whom the reservation was meant to is no longer, the domain will be deleted and will be available for registration on "first come, first served" basis after the transition period has ended. Re-registrations for these domains will only be possible if the registrant set in WHOIS has given up rights to this domain with a power of attorney before its deletion from the Commercial Registry.
Since in these cases the institution to whom the reservation was meant to is no longer, the domain will be deleted and will be available for registration on "first come, first served" basis after the transition period has ended. Re-registrations for these domains will only be possible if the registrant set in WHOIS has given up rights to this domain with a power of attorney before its deletion from the Commercial Registry.
How long is the transition period and when will it begin?
The transition period will begin when new domain regulation takes effect and last for six months, i.e. until January 5th 2011.
Does the domain re-registration application requests as much information as upon registration of a new domain?
Yes. Since the new Domain Regulation demands more information from the registrant than former regulation and since the details in the registry may be outdated, all the details of the domain must be submitted again upon re-registration of the domain.
What will happen to domains that are not re-registered during the transition period?
Upon expiry of the transition period, the new procedure for registration of domains continues functioning and all domains have been registered with registrars. If some of the registered domains are not registered with the registrar after the expiry of the transition period, the Estonian Internet Foundation will initiate a procedure for deletion of the Estonian Internet Foundation. This process comprises several stages:
1. In the WHOIS database of the domain it is noted that the domain has expired and notices are sent to contact persons known with regard to the domain. In the notices an additional term of 30 days is granted for registration of the domain. During that time the domain is completely available.For domains that have not been re-registered up to this point the 30 day expiration period will end February 4th 2011.
2. If the domain is not re-registered within the 30 days (expiry period) in spite of the notice, the domain will be suspended and its entries will be blocked in the name servers. This means that the domain is no longer available on the Internet (e.g. a web address or e-mail address). This status lasts for 60 days and is meant as the last chance for the person who registered the domain to contact the EIF and re-register the domain. The respective notation is made to the WHOIS database that can be viewed on EIF website. For domains that have not been re-registered up to this point the 60 day suspension period will end April 5th 2011.
3. If the domain users cannot be contacted and the domain is not re-registered during the term specified in the previous article, the domain will be deleted from the registry and the domain name will be placed in quarantine that will last up to 24 hours.
4. After the end of the quarantine the domain name will become available and registered by the first registrant who submits a proper application (pursuant to the "first come, first served" principle).
