The European Registry of Internet Domain names (EURid) was
expecting a rush of applications when it opened for business at
10:00 GMT.
During this sunrise period, applicants have four weeks to
provide proof of their existing rights. If they cannot comply, the
names will be released for others to register.
This phase of the registration process will last until 6th
February 2006. Then the second phase begins, allowing company names
and artistic names to be registered too. Finally, from 7th April,
registration opens to all.
“I expect Europe’s top level domain .eu to become similarly
important as .com”, said EU Information Society and Media
Commissioner Viviane Reding last week. “For businesses, .eu will
extend their marketing reach, while protecting them under EU law
against cybersquatters.”
“As a citizen, a '.eu' address can help making your web presence
or that of your school, university, or club more visible across the
European Union. Europe’s new top level domain therefore offers a
unique opportunity for modern online marketing across borders,” she
added.
