Europe Gets a Name in Cyberspace

April 7, 2006 -- -- For the millions of Internet users in Europe, this is an exciting time, because the new .eu domain became available today to any European Union resident or any organization or company established within the EU.

The European Commission is preparing for the official launch of this top-level domain, which is intended to supplement, rather than replace, existing domain names. Until the launch of .eu, Europeans starting an Internet site had to choose either a dot-com domain, which many around the world associate with the United States, or a national domain such as .uk for residents of the United Kingdom.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN -- which manages Internet domains -- has given the official go-ahead. The negotiations between ICANN and the European Registry of Internet Domain Names, or EURid, lasted nearly six months, though no one can explain what took so long. Until recently, ICANN had favored a strict limitation on new domain names.

"I expect Europe's top-level domain, .eu, to become similarly as important as dot-com," Viviane Reding, the EU's information and media commissioner said in a statement.

Reding added that this new domain would protect businesses and organizations from cyber criminals. It also offers a European alternative to the traditional dot-com and .co.uk web addresses.

Jonathan Robinson, a director at NetNames.com -- one of the first registrars able to take applications -- said the market has eagerly awaited the .eu domain name.

"It is finally a reality, and we are pleased because it offers an opportunity for individuals and firms alike to take advantage of a new domain and a greater chance to secure a domain name of their choice," he said.

Applicants for the new domain are required to submit documentary evidence of their right to the domain within 40 days of applying.

"If you view the Internet as a global village, then .eu is just another street added to it. We of course hope that it will soon become a big boulevard, but any European user is of course free to use any other street," according to the EU's fact sheet on the new .eu domain.