NIC.ir adopts liberal rules on ccTLD registrations

NIC.ir, Iran's manager of the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD), has begun accepting applications for domain names in the '.ir' domain space. The domain name registry has adopted a liberal policy on registration, including the following rules:

• Both local and foreign legal persons located within the borders of Iran, as well as foreign organizations that are "engaged in activity connected with Iranian interests or transnational activity not in conflict with the laws and practices of [Iran]" may register domain names ending in '.ir'.
  
  
• Individuals residing in Iran may also register domain names in the ccTLD.
  
  
• Trademark owners may reserve domain names before actually registering them.
  
  
• Applicants may be requested to provide evidence that they have some interest in the domain name, for example a registered trademark, trade name or company name that is identical to the desired domain name.
  
  
• Domain names shall be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis to those with a legitimate interest in the name.
  
  
• The registration term is three years, subject to unlimited renewals of three years each.
  
  
• Seven second-level domains are available: '.ac.ir' (for licensed academic organizations), '.sch.ir' (for licensed academic institutions), '.net.ir' (for entities licensed to provide network services), '.gov.ir' (for the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Iranian government), '.org.ir' (for officially recognized non-profit organizations), '.co.ir' (for all other non-governmental organizations), and '.id.ir' (for individuals who are citizens or legal residents of Iran).

Disputes involving '.ir' domain names shall be settled by court proceedings pursuant to national law and the unfair competition rules of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

Mohammad Badamchi, HAMI Legal Services, Tehran