DENIC eG Eases Domain Guidelines

DENIC will amend its Domain Guidelines with effect from 23 October 2009 and will thus abolish most of the restrictions currently applicable with regard to the registration of second level domains under the TLD .de. In doing so, the registry creates room for a large number of new domains. In future, also one-and two-digit domains as well as domain names composed exclusively of numerals will be allowed. Additionally, people may reserve domains identical with combinations of letters that are used for German motorvehicle number plates or for Top Level Domains such as "com" or "org". You will now find both the new and the still valid Domain Guidelines at www.denic.de. The maximum length of a domain will still be 63 characters (referred to the ACE-encoded form of the domain - without .de respectively). The rule that a domain must neither begin nor end with a hyphen nor have hyphens as both its third and fourth characters will also remain valid. "The amendments will reduce the restrictions imposed on domain registrations to a minimum," says DENIC's Executive Board member Sabine Dolderer (CEO).

Parties interested in a "new" domain may now apply for their desired domain with their Internet service provider. The launch phase for the new domains will start on 23 October 2009 at 9:00 (MEST). To ensure a quick, secure, transparent and above all fair assignment procedure, DENIC will register the new domains applying the "first come, first served" principle. The providers will collect all customer requests until the launch phase starts and hand them in to DENIC electronically on the first day of registration. DENIC will assign a domain to the first request it receives for it. Assignment in correct order will be guaranteed by an electronic time stamp operating in milliseconds. You will find more information about the new Domain Guidelines at www.denic.de.
As from 23 October 2009 the following rules will apply for domains under the TLD .de:

• One- and two-digit domains as well as domain names composed exclusively of numerals can now be registered.
• Domains identical with combinations of letters that are used for motor-vehicle number plates or for TLDs are released for registration.
• A domain may be comprised of the digits 0-9, hyphens, the letters a-z of the Latin alphabet and the other letters listed in the currently valid annex to the Domain Guidelines.
• A domain must neither begin nor end with a hyphen. Neither must it have hyphens as both its third and fourth characters.
• The minimum length of a domain is one character.
• The maximum length of a domain is 63 characters (referred to the ACE-encoded form of the domain) - without .de respectively.

DENIC (www.denic.de) is the central registry for the Top Level Domain .de and responsible for the operation of the TLD's name servers. Through its work, it creates the foundation for German Internet pages and e-mail addresses to
be accessible throughout the world. Administering about 13 million domains, DENIC is operating the largest ccTLD worldwide. DENIC is a private-sector company with the legal form of a registered cooperative. The over 260
DENIC members are IT businesses based in Germany and elsewhere.

For further information please contact:

Michael Schleicher
Phone: +49 (0)69/27 235-274
e-mail presse@denic.de