Business
Dot-eu domain is ready to roll
The EC is braced for a stampede when the sunrise period for dot-eu domain names begins next week
With just under a week to go until companies can register for a dot-eu domain name, the European Commission is preparing for a rush of registrations when the new top-level domain goes live.
The sunrise period — where trademark holders and public bodies can register their dot-eu URLs before the public are allowed to — will officially begin on 7 December.
Information society and media commissioner Viviane Reding said: "I expect Europe's top-level domain dot-eu to become similarly important as dot-com."
Reding added the new top-level domain will also protect businesses and organisations from cyber squatters under EU law.
Registrations for the dot-eu domain, which will be handled by Eurid, will officially open to the public on 7 April 2006.