Second registration phase for domain .swiss
The second registration phase for the domain .swiss is starting. This will increase the range of possible domain names and expand the circle of potential candidates. In addition, umbrella organizations or industry representatives can submit an application for a generic address such as hotel.swiss or watch.swiss, which will be made available to the entire industry, as Bakom writes.
On January 11, 2016 opens the Internet domain .swiss for numerous new Internet addresses and is no longer limited to company names and registered trademarks. Applications can now also be submitted for product names, slogans, geographical designations or fantasy names, as the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom). Applicants would still have to have a place of business and a physical administrative headquarters in Switzerland, as well as a clear link to the requested Internet address. Associations and foundations without an entry in the commercial register, which were still excluded in the first phase, can now also apply for a .swiss domain name, according to Bakom. However, the opening does not apply to private individuals.
If the new applications meet the basic requirements, they would be posted once a week for 20 days on the website www.nic.swiss The company also states that it will publish the domain names in the future so that any comments can be made or competing applications can be submitted. Domain names not in question would be allocated after this period. In the event of disputes, Bakom would decide on the basis of the provisions of the Ordinance on Internet Domains (VID). Priority would be given to public-law entities followed by entities that have a right associated with the name applied for, the federal office said. In the case of applications that are equal in all respects, allocation can be made by auction, drawing lots or on the basis of an assessment of the greater added value for the Swiss community, it said.
Generic addresses
In addition, it is now possible to apply for generic addresses that relate to an entire industry. For a so-called name allocation mandate, an umbrella organization or a representative of a profession or sector of activity can submit an application for a generic domain name such as hotel.swiss or watch.swiss. The applicants would subsequently have to put the address at the service of the entire community concerned, according to Bakom.
Bakom will examine all applications for generic domain names individually. According to the information, a one-time fee of 2,900 Swiss francs will be charged per dossier, as well as an annual fee of 360 Swiss francs for supervisory activities. These two fees are part of the total invoice that the applicants receive from their registrar.
Already 7,000 .swiss addresses allocated
During the first registration phase, which ended in November 2015, 9,738 .swiss domain names were applied for. After the publication deadline, around 7,000 addresses have already been allocated.
