Regulations for ‘.ad’ domain names registration (Official)

Regulation Doc Link : https://www.domini.ad/en/regulation

Overview

The General Regulations for Registration of .ad Domain Names establish the legal and operational framework for registering and managing .ad domain names, delegated to Andorra by IANA on January 9, 1996. Andorra Telecom, SAU, is designated as the registry operator under Law 42/2022 on digital economy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The regulations reflect the policy shift effective October 22, 2024, opening .ad registration to all persons globally, with key changes including the use of accredited registrars and a first-come, first-served allocation model during the general availability period.

Key Chapters and Provisions

Chapter One: General Conditions

  • Article 1 (Objects): Defines the purpose of the regulations and identifies Andorra Telecom as the registry operator responsible for the .ad TLD.
  • Article 2 (Definitions): Clarifies terms such as “domain name,” “TLD,” “registrar,” “registrant,” and “general availability.” The transition and opening period (May 22 to October 22, 2024) facilitated the shift to the new model, followed by general availability.
  • Article 3 (Binding Nature): Applicants are bound by these regulations, registrar agreements, and the .ad Dispute Resolution Policy (PRDad).

Chapter Two: Allocation of .ad Domains

  • Article 4 (Syntax Rules): .ad domains must use alphanumeric characters (Latin alphabet, 0-9, hyphen) and Internationalised Domain Names (IDN) characters, with restrictions (e.g., no leading/trailing hyphens, max 63 characters).
  • Article 5 (First-Come, First-Served Basis): Post-transition, domains are allocated during general availability on a first-come, first-served basis, with no guarantee of availability.

Chapter Three: Eligibility Criteria

  • Article 6 (General Eligibility): Domains must be legitimate, not harm Andorra’s image, and align with their significance. Non-compliant domains may be rejected or canceled.
  • Article 7 (Special Eligibility): Geographic names, public institution names, and public service-related names are restricted to authorized Andorran public entities.
  • Article 8 (Reserved Names): The registry can reserve names and set conditions for their use, with discretion over publication.
  • Article 9 (Premium Names): Special-value names may have higher fees or be reserved for auction.

Chapter Four: Rules of Use

  • Article 10 (Liability): Registrants are fully responsible for domain use, including third-party misuse.
  • Article 11 (Conditions of Use): Domains must be used legitimately, in good faith, and not mislead, harm Andorra’s image, infringe rights, or support illegal activities (e.g., phishing, botnets). Violations may lead to suspension or cancellation.

Chapter Five: Life of the Domain Name

  • Article 12 (Length): Domains are valid for 1-10 years, with automatic annual renewal unless deleted. Grace periods include 5 days (creation), 45 days (renewal), and 30 days (recovery).
  • Article 13 (Voluntary Transfer): Domains can be transferred with registrar consent, subject to compliance.

Chapter Six: The Registry Operator

  • Article 14 (Role): Andorra Telecom sets transparent rules but does not act as a registrar; all registrations go through accredited registrars.
  • Article 15 (Remuneration): Fees are set by the registry, but registrars determine customer prices.
  • Article 16 (Internal Use): Andorra Telecom can self-assign domains for its operations, exempt from conflict resolution.
  • Article 17 (Non-Obligation to Supervise): The registry does not pre-validate registrations or guarantee availability.

Chapter Seven: The Registrars

  • Article 19 (Role): Accredited registrars manage registrations; direct applications to the registry are not allowed.
  • Article 20 (Accreditation): Andorran registrars need legal status and domain registration as a business activity; non-Andorran registrars require ICANN accreditation.
  • Article 21 (Portability): Registrants can switch registrars, with limited refusal grounds (e.g., fraud, non-payment).

Chapter Eight: Compliance and Dispute Resolution

  • Article 25 (Verification): The registry may investigate domain compliance, with a 15-day registrant response period; provisional measures or cancellation may follow.
  • Article 26 (PRDad): Disputes over trademarks, trade names, or public identifiers are resolved via WIPO’s PRDad process.

Chapter Nine: Domain Contact Information

  • Article 28 (Accuracy): Registrants must provide accurate contact details and update them promptly.
  • Article 29 (Data Protection): Contact data is processed for registration, made public via WHOIS/RDAP, and protected against misuse, per ICANN obligations.

Key Changes from Previous Policy

  • Eligibility: Previously restricted to Andorran entities or trademark holders; now open globally.
  • Registration Process: Shifted from direct registry registration to mandatory use of accredited registrars.
  • Duration: Minimum registration reduced from 2 years to 1 year, renewable up to 10 years.
  • Validation: Pre-approval eliminated; registration is now immediate during general availability.

Implications

The regulations facilitate broader access to .ad domains, aligning with global TLD trends, but introduce risks such as domain collisions (e.g., “corp.ad”) for organizations using .ad internally, as discussed in prior analyses. The registry’s discretionary powers and registrar model enhance oversight while shifting responsibility to registrants and registrars.

For full details, refer to the original document at https://www.domini.ad/.