I want .it so bad...
August 23, 2006 7:23 AM Subscribe
I'm in love with a domain name. The problem is, .it's (sorry) a cc-tld that's restricted to citizens of Italy.
As far as I know restriction applies only to registration - it can be used by anyone, for anything. Unfortunately I don't know any Italian citizens. So the question is, how can I find someone to register this domain? And it'll be in their name, so how can I guarantee they won't just keep it for themselves?
As far as I know restriction applies only to registration - it can be used by anyone, for anything. Unfortunately I don't know any Italian citizens. So the question is, how can I find someone to register this domain? And it'll be in their name, so how can I guarantee they won't just keep it for themselves?
I've done this before with a Chilean domain, which has similar requirements. I found a company that does Web hosting and registration in Chile, and e-mailed them to ask whether they'd register the domain on my behalf. Fortunately, there was a very accomodating English gentleman there who helped me out.
There's a certain amount of faith involved - in my case, I was asked to send about US$80 via Western Union for two years' registration, with no recourse if they took my money and ran. Besides that, if your domain becomes hugely popular, the holder can arbitrarily take it, and if someone tries to dispute it and take it from you, you can't necessarily count on them to fight for you. If you're willing to accept that, it's worth a shot - mine went just fine and is still going strong.
posted by pocams at 8:34 AM on August 23, 2006
There's a certain amount of faith involved - in my case, I was asked to send about US$80 via Western Union for two years' registration, with no recourse if they took my money and ran. Besides that, if your domain becomes hugely popular, the holder can arbitrarily take it, and if someone tries to dispute it and take it from you, you can't necessarily count on them to fight for you. If you're willing to accept that, it's worth a shot - mine went just fine and is still going strong.
posted by pocams at 8:34 AM on August 23, 2006
Response by poster: Damnit - someone snatched it up! I can't believe it. Oh well - I'm still interested in answers to this question, because this is the second time that this has happened to me. :(
posted by jsbww at 8:50 AM on August 23, 2006
posted by jsbww at 8:50 AM on August 23, 2006
Response by poster: Funmonkey - does EuropeanRegistry have some kind of legal guarantee that they won't take away your domain if, as pocams says, it becomes really popular? Then again, I guess their reputation is guarantee enough, unless we're talking about something really huge.
posted by jsbww at 8:52 AM on August 23, 2006
posted by jsbww at 8:52 AM on August 23, 2006
jsbww, just wondering, since it's snatched up anyway, what was .it? (sorry for the pun...)
posted by drleary at 8:55 AM on August 23, 2006
posted by drleary at 8:55 AM on August 23, 2006
Companies like European Registry and others are sound bets. What you really need to do is email their customer support and ask exactly what your rights are.
Also, you have to remember you aren't the first person to want a domain in a different country and these transactions are fairly common especially in the EU (hint, its a lot easier than say Chile)....Last point, within the EU I believe these transactions are well regulated and you can prove claim to the domain even if the company acting as your agent went bust.
I had the same problem in Norway before having a registered company and there were no issues. Just do some homework and ask a couple of questions.
Last point - be aware of scandalous fees touted by some of the more enterprising registration firms. I have seen offers to purchase a .co.uk or .eu domain for upwards of 200 euros when any reputable company will charge no more than 20 euros per year of registration.
posted by Funmonkey1 at 9:09 AM on August 23, 2006
Also, you have to remember you aren't the first person to want a domain in a different country and these transactions are fairly common especially in the EU (hint, its a lot easier than say Chile)....Last point, within the EU I believe these transactions are well regulated and you can prove claim to the domain even if the company acting as your agent went bust.
I had the same problem in Norway before having a registered company and there were no issues. Just do some homework and ask a couple of questions.
Last point - be aware of scandalous fees touted by some of the more enterprising registration firms. I have seen offers to purchase a .co.uk or .eu domain for upwards of 200 euros when any reputable company will charge no more than 20 euros per year of registration.
posted by Funmonkey1 at 9:09 AM on August 23, 2006
oh and its likely your domain name hasn't been snapped up for good. Companies will find out what available domains have been searched and then purchase on a speculation basis, usually relinquishing them back into the public domain a week or two later if there isn't any traffic to the site or other interest in buying.
posted by Funmonkey1 at 9:12 AM on August 23, 2006
posted by Funmonkey1 at 9:12 AM on August 23, 2006
Actually any EU citizen can register a .it domain as long as it's for personal use.
I registered a .it domain a couple of years back through we.register.it, it took some time as you had to fax the application form to the central office and there was only one fax machine.
posted by gi_wrighty at 10:55 AM on August 23, 2006
I registered a .it domain a couple of years back through we.register.it, it took some time as you had to fax the application form to the central office and there was only one fax machine.
posted by gi_wrighty at 10:55 AM on August 23, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
Try EuroepanRegistry - they can act as your agent. Also, search around, as it is fairly common to find varying rates for purchase of domains.
posted by Funmonkey1 at 8:24 AM on August 23, 2006