Individuals will be able to register personal domain names from 31 October, the IE Domain Registry (IEDR) has announced.
Sole traders, professionals, politicians and trademark holders who have not already registered their .ie Internet address under existing non-personal domain categories are advised to do so before this date.
The introduction of personal dot.ie domain names is a result of the increased popularity of social networking and blogging sites and the increasing number of individuals who are coming online, IEDR said, and follows consultation with the dot.ie reseller community and industry organisations.
The registration of personal domain names will be open to all individuals who can authenticate a claim to the domain name and who have a real and substantive connection to the island of Ireland. To authenticate a claim, a copy of an identification document is required, for example an Irish utility bill or driving licence.
The name on the document supplied must match exactly the domain name applied for. This requirement ensures that the status of Ireland’s dot.ie namespace, as the world’s second safest country code top-level domain, is maintained and protected in the future. Applications will be time-stamped to ensure fairness and transparency of the process.
“This limited registration policy relaxation comes into effect following consultation with dot.ie resellers,” said David Curtin, chief executive, IEDR. “The introduction of personal domain names was first proposed to internet service providers three years ago, but there was little interest due to expected low levels of demand. Since then the broadband take-up and popularity of social networking has created a desire for a personal presence on the Internet, which in turn will have a positive effect on the level of demand for personal dot.ie domain names.
“The IEDR has also significantly reduced its prices, which have fallen by 50pc since 2003, and introduced key system changes that facilitate fast, automated and real-time registration, which has reduced resellers’ process costs.”
By Niall Byrne
