Getting .ie domain names

Eoin

I was just wondering if the IEDR can "pre-approve" a domain name before you purchase it. I've been asked to register ie domains for a few friends & acquaintances and despite following the IEDR's own guidelines, I've had hassles any time the domain deviates in any way from their registered business or company name.

So - is it possible to get the thumbs up before paying up?

spiderpig2k7

Usually I ring them and find out beforehand if it deviates from their policy or if I think something will go wrong.

I don't know if they actually make a note of it and if it is an official "go-ahead".

mneylon

The IEDR policy can be a bit hard to understand at times.

The simplest way to get a domain is:

- have a registered business name OR company
- have a letter outlining what you intend to do with the domain AND why you choose that particular domain name

Eoin

Thanks all - I definitely agree that the RBN or Company Name is the best way to go. It's when you get into slight variations of the name (especially a sole trader) that it can get really awkward, and then you're relying on the registrant getting their act together to get the paperwork sorted.

An example would be a barrister; one guy was asking if he could get something like smithsc.ie; where sc means senior counsel. It would be really handy to know upfront if that would be accepted.

mneylon

eoin wrote: »

Thanks all - I definitely agree that the RBN or Company Name is the best way to go. It's when you get into slight variations of the name (especially a sole trader) that it can get really awkward, and then you're relying on the registrant getting their act together to get the paperwork sorted.

An example would be a barrister; one guy was asking if he could get something like smithsc.ie; where sc means senior counsel. It would be really handy to know upfront if that would be accepted.

It would be allowed, as long as they provided the signed letter, as I stated above

The key things that the IEDR won't allow are:
- Irish geographical placenames eg. dublin.ie would not be allowed, but ilikedublin.ie would be
- expletives
-very well known trademarks (this one is a bit odd, as they'll allow you to register a well known mark that they don't know about!)

AARRRGH

Blacknight wrote: »

- expletives

Considering the IEDR think the word "pornography" is an expletive, what you and I consider innocent may be frowned upon...

mneylon

AARRRGH wrote: »

Considering the IEDR think the word "pornography" is an expletive, what you and I consider innocent may be frowned upon...

Oh I know. I've "tested" their rules quite a bit over the years

Scotty #

What's the story with non business owners registering generic names like... football.ie or shrubs.ie. Is this possible?

Eoin

Just register a business name for €20 - you don't need to be registered as self employed or anything like that; anyone can do it.

mneylon

Scotty # wrote: »

What's the story with non business owners registering generic names like... football.ie or shrubs.ie. Is this possible?

You'd need a registered business name

Tim M-U

Scotty # wrote: »

What's the story with non business owners registering generic names like... football.ie or shrubs.ie. Is this possible?

Registering a business name is the easiest option..
I know they used not allow generic registration but if it is related to the registered business then you will need a signed letter stating the relationship with the domain and the business. Check the IEDR requirements on a registrars website..
[The above is open to correction]

fergalfrog

I would just add to this that if you can get one across the line it is easier get a variation registered.

For example if you registered catanddog.ie it would then be easy register mycatanddog.ie and catanddogireland.ie

I don't know what rules they apply but that has been my experience.

cathb

Hi there, my question has probably been answered so apologies in advance for being a bit dim but I am working with some colleagues on creating a website which will will a one stop resource portal type of thing. We are not a company or an organisation, we are merely a group of colleagues collectively working on a community type project. This includes or rather is based on a website. I have been tasked to purchase the domain name which we want to be .ie I though this was a straight forward purchase which I was going to do through blacknight.com Can I just purchase this name with my credit card or do I have to do anything else? The .com version of the name is already gone. Would be very grateful for assistance (in easy steps please ). Thanking in advance

mneylon

cathb wrote: »

Hi there, my question has probably been answered so apologies in advance for being a bit dim but I am working with some colleagues on creating a website which will will a one stop resource portal type of thing. We are not a company or an organisation, we are merely a group of colleagues collectively working on a community type project. This includes or rather is based on a website. I have been tasked to purchase the domain name which we want to be .ie I though this was a straight forward purchase which I was going to do through blacknight.com Can I just purchase this name with my credit card or do I have to do anything else? The .com version of the name is already gone. Would be very grateful for assistance (in easy steps please ). Thanking in advance

You'd need to apply as:
Unincorporated Association
Unincorporated Association Name

And then supply a signed letter on the group's headed paper (or something which looks official) stating that you want to register the domain for your group's activity

Eoin

So as the .com is gone, you want the .ie one instead?

The easiest way is to register a business name with the CRO. This can be done by any individual. If your colleagues don't mind that the domain name is only in one person's name, then that's by far the simplest solution.

So, sign up to www.core.ie
Fill in the form to register a business name
Print out the PDF, sign it and send it in with a check for €20
You'll get the cert in the post within a couple of weeks, and the name will be listed on www.cro.ie

You can register the domain name at any stage and just let your registrar know when you have the RBN number. They should then send these details to the IEDR and then you're sorted.

Edit - Blacknight's advice is more accurate than mine, it's just that I've had a crap time dealing with the IEDR without a CRO number, so I just tend to go down the RBN route.

cathb

Blacknight wrote: »

You'd need to apply as:
Unincorporated Association
Unincorporated Association Name

And then supply a signed letter on the group's headed paper (or something which looks official) stating that you want to register the domain for your group's activity

I'm an ass!! I went ahead (before I saw the answer) and bought it under discretionary name?? Can I ring Blacknight in the morning and get them to change that or is it ok??

mneylon

cathb wrote: »

I'm an ass!! I went ahead (before I saw the answer) and bought it under discretionary name?? Can I ring Blacknight in the morning and get them to change that or is it ok??

Just email quoting the domain & sales order number

fergalfrog

>> The .com version of the name is already gone.

I would make sure you are ok with this. Even if you don't see expansion to a more global audience you will always have people making the mistake. There is also the issue of search engine marketing.

I guess at the end of the day it is up to you and it all depends on what you are doing/selling on the site but just thought I would add my 2 cents.

Trojan

Aside: sounds like .org might be suitable for their groups needs.

mneylon

Trojan wrote: »

Aside: sounds like .org might be suitable for their groups needs.

For any non-profit the .org is the logical choice ..

If the .com is taken I wouldn't jump on the .ie - why not get a .eu? Simpler and easier ..