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The general public might have to wait until 7 April to be able to register web addresses with a .eu domain name, but already more than 3,000 domain names have been granted the go-ahead and are live says EURid, the company chosen to operate the .eu domain name.

So far more than 300,000 applications were submitted during the Sunrise I period which started on 7 December 2005 and the Sunrise II on 7 February 2006. The Sunrise period is reserved for applications from public bodies, holders of geographical indications and owners of a trademark.

Germany comes first in the table of request with close to 30 per cent of registrations; it is followed by the Netherlands (16%), France (11%), Great Britain (9%) and Italy (6%). A little surprise comes from the relatively low figures from Spain (2.8%) and the rather high from the Netherlands. Belgium, which harbours the EU institutions comes in fifth place with a little more than 5 per cent of the overall registrations.

It is no surprise that the registrations for trademarks account for the largest number of submission (45.4%) followed by company names (27.5%). Public bodies come on fourth place (19.9%).

So which EU institutions websites can you already visit using a trendy .eu address. Well it appears that except for the general website of the European Union (and of the European Commission) at www.europa.eu, which is already live, all other EU institutions (European Parliament, European Council etc…) have not yet activated their domain name.

Interestingly commission.eu, parliament.eu, council.eu are reserved domain names, suggesting a wave of friendlier web addresses to access EU institutions websites.

Digitmag reported on the opening of the registrations in December last year that sex.eu was the most sought-after domain name, followed by hotel.eu, travel.eu, jobs.eu, hotels.eu., casino.eu, poker.eu, in other words, whether it is in .com or .eu, it is business as usual!

So brace yourself on 7 April 2005 for the start of the so called ‘land rush’ period when anybody will be able to register a domain name through one of the 934 registrar accredited by EURid.

http://www.eurid.eu
http://www.digitmag.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=5361
http://www.whois.eu/whois/GetDomainStatus.htm

Posted by Paul Gerhard at 09:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I visited Barcelona and Spain for the first time of my life. The most amazing thing is the light and heat, very unusual for a northerner like me. Walking around the city is also a fascinating experience, provising you have time in your hands, with ony one day to see everything leaves you with a taste of unfinished business and the desire to come back to see more of the city Gaudi.

Among the highlights of the city is the cathedral of the Holy Family which harbours some of the best finds in architectual design of the this and the last century (the 20th).

I highly recommend the place. And if you go to hotels, be aware that the mini bar might be free... (I wished I had known it)

Posted by Paul Gerhard at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)