22.02.2006

Fi-domain names to be granted to private persons as of 1 March at 8.00 a.m.

The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) will begin granting fi-domain names to private persons on 1 March at 8.00 a.m. Fi-domain names will be granted in the order FICORA receives the applications.

A domain name can be a generic term, nickname or your own name

In principle, the applicant can choose a fi-domain name freely. It can be any generic term, for example a generic term related to a hobby, your nickname or your own name.

A private person can apply for a domain name based on a combination of a person's first name and surname only if she or he applies for it under her or his own name. It is not allowed to apply for a domain name that is based on another person's name. For example, only John Smith can apply for the fi-domain name johnsmith.fi. This restriction does not apply to distinct first names and surnames. Thus, John Smith can, for example, apply for the domain name lisa.fi. If two persons who are called John Smith apply for a domain name simultaneously, the domain name johnsmith.fi will be granted to the one who has submitted his application first.

Persons over the age of 15 can apply for a fi-domain name

Prior to applying for a fi-domain name, the applicant must check that the fi-domain name she or he is going to apply for is not based on a protected name or trademark, such as a name of a company that has been entered into the Finnish Trade Register. The domain name must not either include expressions that are insulting or incite criminal activity.

A private person who is applying for a fi-domain name must be over the age of 15 and have a Finnish identity number and home municipality in Finland. Parents of a child who is under the age of 15 cannot apply for a fi-domain name on their child's behalf.

The easiest way to apply for a domain name is via your Internet Service Provider

Applications for a fi-domain name can be submitted on the Internet via FICORA's Domain Name Service at https://domain.ficora.fi/ or via your Internet Service Provider. The applicant must be registered as a user with the Domain Name Service before she or he can apply for a fi-domain name. In addition, the applicant must have at least two name servers configured to serve the fi-domain name applied for. The domain name fee charged for the use of a fi-domain name is paid at the Domain Name Service by credit card or through Internet banking service during the application process. The domain name fee is 52 euros for three years.

You can obtain a fi-domain name from your Internet Service Provider. The Service Provider can, on the applicant's behalf, provide the necessary name servers and deliver the services a fi-domain name can be useful for, such as a homepage and an e-mail address.

In the Internet that stretches across the world, a fi-domain name is a safe choice because fi-domain names are granted by FICORA. FICORA aims to prevent any information security threats in advance, and can revoke fi-domain names that have been applied for on false pretense. Additional information on the advantages of fi-domain names is available at the service for private persons at http://www.omafi.fi/.

Further information:
Mr. Juhani Juselius, Head of Domain Names, tel. +358 9 6966 743, mobile phone +358 40 730 6776 and
Ms. Tuula Vainionkulma-Paananen, Service Manager, tel. +358 9 6966 491, mobile phone +358 50 303 8210