What name can I register?
The proposed domain name must come within one of the categories set out in the Naming and Registration Policy, in which specific requirements are set out for deriving the domain name from a name or mark already belonging to the applicant. A summary of the Naming and Registration Policy is provided under our Quick Guide to Registration Policy.
In addition, the following procedure must also be applied in deriving the proposed domain name from a name or mark already belonging to the applicant. Any space appearing in the name or mark may, at the applicant's option, be replaced by a hyphen. Any remaining characters, other than those valid for use in a label component of an Internet domain name (see 3.1 above) shall be omitted.
The proposed domain name must not be offensive or contrary to public policy or generally accepted principles of morality.
The proposed domain name does no longer have to abide by the generic name regulation, as of November the 5th, 2001.
The proposed domain name must not contravene the geographical name regulation. This regulation requires that no domain name may consist of Irish geographical name(s), word(s) or description(s), or a combination of such, followed by .ie, which in the view of cpr144449003101 the Registry would be likely to be misleading if registered in the name of the applicant, or if registered would be likely to infer or to imply that the applicant had exclusive or certain rights emanating from such a domain name.
These names, which can most often be defined as names that appear on official maps, are only registered to relevant local authorities. The Registry will not be involved in arrangements between local authorities and third parties regarding the use of the domain name. Quasi-geographical names that do not appear on official maps, such as Leeside, Bayside, Liffey Valley etc. are usually acceptable domain name applications from non-local authority applicants. Applications comprising corporate names, Trade Marks etc. and which include a (real) geographical name are usually compelled to include the "product" name in the domain name. For example, Westmeath Mountaineering Products would be obliged to include "mountaineering", or a derivation, at a minimum, in their domain name.
The proposed domain name must not at the time of receipt of the registration request already have been registered to another applicant.
A sub-domain name must be distinct from any of the recognized top-level domain names (ARPA, COM, MIL, NET, INT, ...) except in special circumstances where the Registry considers such a registration to be in the best national interest. [Amended: 22nd May 2000].
The proposed domain name must not contain the word 'university' unless the applicant is recognized by the Ministers office as an established university. The Universities Act, 1997, prohibits the use of the word 'university' to describe an educational establishment or facility without the approval of the Minister. As such we do not allow the use of the word 'university' in a .ie domain name unless the applicant is a recognized University.
