What is a Top Level Domain?
A domain name is used in the Internet to identify particular web pages. Every domain name has a suffix that indicates the Top Level Domain (TLD) to which it belongs. The TLD is the part of an internet domain name which can be found to the right of the last point

For example, ".int" is currently the TLD in: europa.eu.int

TLDs are also obviously an important part of e-mail addresses. For example:

some.body@cec.eu.int

".int," is one of the so-called “generic” TLDs and is reserved for use by international organizations. The other generic TLDs include .com, .net, .info, .org, etc

There are also many country code top level domains (ccTLDs) such as .uk, .de, and .fr. Each TLD is associated with a particular registry which registers the names associated with the TLD

What is .eu?
“.eu” is a new Top Level Domain (TLD). It will not replace the existing national country code TLDs in the EU, but will complement them and give users the option of having a pan-European internet identity for their ‘internet presence’ – generally web sites and e-mail addresses

Any individual resident in the EU or any organization or company established in the EU will be able to register a name under the .eu TLD. European law and the jurisdiction of European courts will apply.

Why create .eu?
The purpose of this TLD is to give European citizens and industry a safer place in cyberspace.

For citizens, it will provide a place in cyberspace, in which their rights as consumers and individuals are protected by European rules, standards, and courts.

For firms, it will enhance their internet visibility within and beyond the EU single market, advertise their pan-European outlook and provide greater certainty as to the law. Firms wishing to take advantage of the single market have until now been obliged to either to base their internet presence in one country or to create web sites in each of the EU countries in which they operate. This should foster electronic commerce and boost economic competitiveness and growth.

Is Europe creating its “own internet”?
Certainly not. The Internet is a global infrastructure and a cornerstone of worldwide exchange of ideas and commerce. Europe’s Top Level Domain “.eu” will therefore become part of the worldwide family of internet Top Level Domains and has been created in close coordination with the non-profit organisation Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which manages the domain name system worldwide.

To ensure smooth progress on the new street and on all the other streets, ICANN and the Commission agreed on the creation of the .eu TLD prior to the adoption of the EU rules on .eu. On 21 March 2005, ICANN officially recognized the Leuven-based organisation EURid, the body selected by the Commission, as the body appointed by the European Union to run the .eu TLD for the next five years. Thereafter, the .eu TLD was put in the root on 2 May 2005.

Pourquoi “.eu” et non pas “.ue » ?
To keep things short when the European Union went online over a decade ago, rather than use something lengthy such as “European Union” or “Union européenne”, the Latin name “Europa” was chosen for the server. This has worked well. The name for the common currency in, at present, 12 Member States, is even shorter: “Euro”. When something even shorter was needed for the new Top Level Domain, “.eu” seemed the obvious choice: From Europa to Euro to “.eu”.

Who runs .eu?
While the European Commission, together with the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, has created the legal framework for “.eu” by means of EU legislation, the .eu top level domain is managed and operated by a private, not-for-profit Registry, EURid. It was created by the three national registries of Belgium, Italy and Sweden and selected by the Commission following an open call for expressions of interest.

Applications to register domain names must be made not to EURid itself, but to one of its accredited registrars. A list of all registrars and the languages in which registration is offered, can be found on: list.eurid.eu/registrars/

During the registration process registrars ask end users for various contact and technical information keep records of the contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the Registry.

The registry then inserts this information into a centralized database and enables it to be placed in Internet zone files so that domain names can be found around the world via the World Wide Web and E-mail. End users are also required to enter a registration contract with the registrar, which sets forth the terms under which registrations are accepted and maintained.

When can I register a .eu name?
From 7 December 2005, but the first four months are reserved for holders of trademarks, public bodies or holders of other “prior rights” (see sunrise section).

Registration for “everybody” begins on 7 April 2006.

Who can register a .eu domain name?
Anybody who lives in the European Union plus companies, organisations, businesses that are established in the EU (e.g. have a branch office in a Member State). Nationality of an EU Member State is not a prerequisite.

How does the "sunrise” period work?
Prior to the start of the registrations under .eu, there will be a "sunrise period" which will allow holders of certain rights (e.g. trademarks, geographical indications, copyright) to apply to register the corresponding .eu domain name before the registration of domain names is open for the wide public without restrictions. The sunrise period will take place in two phases each lasting two months.

During phase 1 (7 Dec 2005 to 6 Feb 2006) only registered Community or national trademarks, geographical indications and the names of public bodies may be registered by the holders or licensees of prior rights on those names or the public bodies.

During phase 2 (7 Feb to 6 Apr 2006) the names that can be registered in phase 1 as well as names based on all other prior rights, in so much as they are recognized under Community law or the national law of an EU Member State.

In the event of conflict with the registration of a given name recourse may be had either to the courts or to a streamlined Alternative Dispute Resolution procedure to be implemented by the Registry after consultation with the Commission.

The “first come first served” principle will apply to any applications received during the initial 4-month period and beyond. Therefore, if two applicants have a prior right to the same name, the Registry will register the application that it received first. The same principle will apply once the Registry opens its doors to everyone from 7 April 2006.

Can you give some examples of prior right holders and prior rights?
Holders of prior rights are those persons who have a right over a given name and that, according to the .eu regulations, may apply for a .eu domain name during the sunrise period.

The Registry web site provides comprehensive explanation of what is considered a prior right and how to prove its existence.

A few more specific examples:

• Trade mark: the PSA group has a trade mark right to the name “Peugeot” and therefore it may apply to register this name during the sunrise period.
• Public bodies: the Société des Transports Intercommunaux Bruxellois (STIB) or the mayor of Madrid are also considered to have prior rights to register “stib.eu” or “Madrid.eu” respectively.
• Geographical indications or designations of origin: the board of producers of Rioja wine, also have a prior right for the registration of “rioja.eu”.
• Unregistered trade marks: persons who have used a name in the commerce for sufficient time and can prove that such a name has acquired sufficient distinctiveness as to become an unregistered trademark, may apply to register such names during the first phase of the sunrise period.
• Trade names, company names, business identifiers: the proprietor of, for instance, the bakery around the corner may apply to register the name of the business where this name is protected in its Member State, for instance by its listing in the commercial register.
• Family names: registration of family names may be requested during the second phase of the sunrise period insofar as they are protected under the national law of their holders.
• Distinctive titles of protected literary and artistic works: Ms. J.K. Rowling could be considered to have a right to register the name “Harry Potter” under .eu.

Where different persons may have rights to a given name which, for instance, is at the same time a trade mark, the first-come, first-served principle applies

What exactly has the EU done to create the .eu TLD?
The milestones of the .eu project were:

• a public consultation by the Commission and two communications to the Council and the European Parliament in 2000,
• a European Parliament and Council Regulation in 2002,
• a call for expressions of interest and the official selection of the Registry (2002 & 2003),
• a Commission Regulation on the Public Policy Rules and the signature of the agreement between the Commission and the selected Registry in 2004, and
• the delegation of the .eu TLD from ICANN to EURid, the adoption of the registration policy in consultation with stakeholders (including rules for the sunrise and the alternative dispute resolution) and the launch of the Sunrise period in 2005.

This is an excerpt from the published page at: MEMO/05/457 which outlines all of the FAQ with regards to the .eu extension