.eu domains

where are they?

[cyberair]

I want to register them. Any word on when they'll be available? I've seen preregistration on some sites, but this says it's a Sunrise period for individuals and companies to register their trademark names.

However, this doesn't mean a preregistration of say widgets.eu will hold. So, when will we be able to start registering generic term .eu domains?

[georgeek]

EURid who were chosen by the European Commission (EC) to manage the .eu TLD are still in contractual negotiations with the EC.

Signing of the contract was due to take place at the end of August or the beginning of September but has not done so yet.

The moment it is signed it will be announced here [eurid.org] and the sunrise period is estimated to start 8 or 9 months after that.

Its taken the money wasting EC bureaucrats over 10 years so far so what's another few months :)

[gpmgroup]

The timetable keeps slipping but the current predictions are

June 2005 for the Sunrise (Trademarks etc.)
October 2005 for the First come First served (Open)

[adfree]

The European Registry of Internet Domain Names (as mentioned above) is most likely to start the sunrise period December 2004 whereas private users will be allowed to acquire them from April 2005.

Limitations: Your business needs to have their headquarters in Europe or you need to be a citizen of a European country.

[cyberair]

Are these limitations for registering any .eu domain, or is it only for registering TM for businesses?

[gpmgroup]

The European Registry of Internet Domain Names (as mentioned above) is most likely to start the sunrise period December 2004 whereas private users will be allowed to acquire them from April 2005.

Is very unlikely as I don't believe contracts have been approved and .eu is therefore not in the root.

You are then looking at 8 or 9 month time delay before the first sunrise period.

[adfree]

This info came from the German public television and the largest tech journal referencing the official belgium registry as mentioned above.