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Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) Switchboard +358 9 69 661 Television fees Customer service of Fi-domain names +358 9 6966 700 |
Information for current and new applicants of domain namesThe Domain Name ActThe availability of Finnish domain names (country code fi) improved and their registration became easier when the Domain Name Act (228/2003) entered into force. With the entry into force of an amendment to this Act on 1 March 2006, even private persons can apply for fi-domain names. The Domain Name Act incorporates provisions on the application for a domain name, the form and contents of the name and the responsibilities and obligations of the holder of a domain name and an Internet service provider. The whole text of the Domain Name Act and preambles are available in the internet (for instance at http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/2003/en20030228.pdf). Who can apply for a domain name?An enterprise or a private entrepreneur, a Finnish public body, an unincorporated state enterprise, an independent public corporation or a public association that has been entered into the Finnish trade register or the registers of associations and foundations, or a diplomatic mission of a foreign state may apply for a domain name under the root fi. A domain name cannot be applied for before the registration in the registers of trade, associations or foundations is completed. Pending registration is not sufficient. A business ID number or entry into the fiscal authority's register do not solely entitle to the application for a domain name. Associations and political parties shall indicate their association register number (123.456) in their application for a domain name. Other undertakings shall fill in their business ID number (1234567-8) in their application. As of 1 March 2006, the application for a domain name is also possible for a private person aged at least 15 years with a Finnish personal ID number and domiciled in a Finnish municipality. A domain name can be applied for by a guardian on behalf of a minor aged at least 15 years and an adult of age for whom a guardian has been nominated. Private persons shall always indicate their personal ID number in the application. An agent can be used in the application for a fi-domain name. The agent fills in the application form on behalf of his or her principal. The applicant may authorise an agent to represent him/herself in all matters related to the domain name. Applications for fi-domain names are also made by many internet service providers on behalf of their customers. Also, many service providers apply for domain names on their clients’ behalf. What kinds of domain names are accepted?Primarily, the applicant can freely choose a fi-domain name and for instance any connection to the applicant's business or activity is no longer required. Some restrictions regarding the form and contents of the name are, however, prescribed by law. A fi-domain name may consist of 2 - 63 characters. It may be composed of letters a - z, digits 0 - 9 and a hyphen. As of 1 September 2005 it has also been possible to use the characters å, ä and ö in a fi-domain name. A domain name cannot begin or end with a hyphen. The third and fourth character of a domain name cannot both be hyphens. A fi-domain name must be a functional internet address. This means that at least two functional name servers must be configured for the domain name. The data of the name servers must be given in the application for a domain name, and a domain name cannot be granted before the operation of the name servers has been checked. What kinds of domain names are not accepted?A fi- domain name shall not be illegally based on another party's protected name or trademark or a natural person's name. The protected names referred to in law mean names entered into the Finnish trade, association or foundation registers or the marks in the Finnish or EC trademark register. Respectively, the names of public bodies and established names and marks referred to in the Business Names and Trademark Act are protected. A natural person's name is a person name composed of a first name and a family name in accordance with the Name Act. An undertaking may apply for a domain name consisting of a person's first and family name (e.g. maijavirtanen.fi or virtanenmaija.fi) only in case that the name has, exactly in the same form, been registered as a business name or trademark. The register number of the name or mark must be indicated in the application for a fi-domain name. A natural person may apply for a domain name composed of a person's first and family name only if it is the applicant's official name. A domain name shall not include expressions that are insulting or incite to criminal activity. Neither shall domain names be applied for with the purpose of redelivery. A domain name cannot be a word or abbreviation indicating the form of an undertaking (such as Ltd/Limited, Oy/Osakeyhtiö), the word trademark or global or country codes (such as com, net, org, fi or dk). How do I make sure that the domain name is lawful?Before a domain name is granted, the applications are checked by FICORA's on-line fi-domain name service mechanically so that only part of illegal registrations is prevented. The service is not capable of verifying for instance if the domain name applied for violates another party's registered business name or trademark. The applicant is him/herself responsible for verifying that the domain name applied for is not illegally based on another party's trademark or name. Before applying for a domain name the applicant shall make the necessary investigations to ensure that the name is legal. It is easy to browse the registered names and trademarks effective in Finland in the internet free of charge. FICORA's fi-domain name service informs the applicant of effective restrictions and guides the applicant to the necessary searches before the application is made. An applicant, or a person acting under authorisation, using the fi-domain name service shall in connection with the application confirm that the registers listed have been checked. FICORA does not check the Business Name and Trademark Registers on behalf of the domain name applicants or give advice on the use of the registers. Names and marks protected by registration can be easily found in the public registers below:
The applicant for a fi-domain name is also responsible for the correctness of the data given to the fi-domain name service. Entering wrongful data into an authority's public register is a crime. FICORA may revoke or terminate an illegal domain name. What are name servers?A domain name is the address of the internet communications network. In order that the domain name could serve as an address, name servers must be configured for it. A name server is a computer in which the address data of the domain name has been recorded and which is connected to the internet. Without name servers configured for the domain name the website cannot be found and e-mail does not reach the recipient. The fi-domain name shall be configured to at least two and at most ten separate functional name servers. Information on the technical configurations for fi-domain names and on the requirements set for name servers can be found in FICORA's regulation 37 C/2005 M. Viesintäviraston määräys 37 C/2005 M [, ] A fi-domain name cannot be granted, unless at least two functional name servers have been configured for it.The names of the name servers and, when necessary, the IP addresses as well, shall be given in the application for a domain name. The fi-domain name service automatically veryfies the operation of the name servers indicated in the application. If a name server does not pass the test, and it is not remedied within the time stipulated (1 month) the application expires and the applicant looses the domain name. The fee paid is not refunded. Internet service providers offer their services for name servers to customers without name servers of their own. The service provider may also make the application for a domain name on behalf of the applicant. How do I apply for domain names?All applications for a fi-domain name are to be made and paid for through FICORA's fi-domain name service https://domain.ficora.fi/fiDomain/aca.aspx. The applicant can make it him/herself (personally or through an agent) or through a service provider authorised by the applicant. In addition to the name of the undertaking or the private person, business ID number/register number or personal ID number and contact information, data on the name servers configured for the domain name shall be indicated in the application form. To be able to apply for a new fi-domain name, you must register as a user of the fi-domain name service. The necessary user ID and lists of passwords are obtained through registration. The lists of passwords are sent by post. . How do I pay for domain names?Payment is made during the application process either by credit card (Visa, EuroCard or MasterCard) or through internet banking service (Nordea, Sampo, OKO, Aktia, Handelsbanken, Ålandsbanken, local savings banks and local co-operative banks). The fee is not refunded, if the domain name is incorrectly registered by mistake, the application expires because of non-functional name servers, or if FICORA later terminates or revokes the domain name by virtue of the Domain Name Act. Products and prices as of 4 January 2010New domain name 13 € for one year, 36 € for three years or 55 € for five years (VAT 0%) How long is the domain name valid? A fi-domain name is granted for a fixed period and is valid for 3 years from the date it has been granted. It can be renewed by paying the renewal fee before the end of validity. Consequently, there are no limits for the validity of a domain name, if it is regularly renewed before the date of expiry. A reminder of the expiry of a domain name is sent by FICORA both by letter and by e-mail to the addresses obtained.. What is the authorization key for a domain name?The authorization key of a fi-domain name is a code by means of which the holder of a domain name can administer its own domain name in FICORA's fi-domain name service. The key is sent to the holder in connection with the granting of the domain name. The holder of a fi-domain name can authorise a service provider to make changes in the domain name or the information under it by delivering the authorisation key to the service provider. By means of the key, the service provider may for instance change the name server data or update the domain name holder's contact information. The key of authorisation can be replaced by another one, if, for instance, the holder of a domain name wants to change the service provider. Correct contact information is importantAll notices, communications and decisions are sent to the e-mail and postal addresses indicated in the application. If the contact information is out-of-date or incorrect, the holder's right to the fi-domain name may be endangered. The given e-mail address is used when hearing the holder of the domain name and asking him or her for a clarification in case of termination or revocation of a domain name. Submitting intentionally false information to an authority's register is a crime, for which a person can be condemned to fines or even to imprisonment for up to three years. The contact information is entered into FICORA's domain name register and into the customer register of the fi-domain name service. Information on the domain name register is given through the internet. Further information on the registers and data delivered from the domain name register is available in the item File descriptions. Make it a rule to verify that your contact information is up-to-date and make the necessary changes direct to the fi-domain name service.
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