.ie Terms & Conditions

Terms and conditions for domain name registrations under the “.ie” domain operated by IEDR.

Date: February 2010

1.1 Definitions

“Acceptable Use Policy” means the policy of same name as published on the Site from time to time;
“Agreement” means the contract between the Registrant and IEDR comprising these terms and conditions as modified from time to time and the Rules;
the “Applicant” or “applicant” means the person having applied for the registration of a particular name in the “ie” domain;
“bad faith” shall have that meaning as set out in clause 10.b).2 below;
“clause” means “section” and visa versa;
“the Distance Selling Regulations” mean the European Communities (Protection of Consumers in Respect of Contracts made by means of Distance Communications) Regulations 2001 as amended;
“domain name” means a domain name registered under the “.ie” Top Level Domain;
“IEDR” means the Irish not for profit organisation IE Domain Registry Limited currently situated at 14 Windsor Terrace, Sandycove, Co Dublin, administrator of the “.ie” domain;
“legitimate interests” shall have that meaning as set out in clause 10.b).3 below;
“the Registrar” means the undertaking that enters into a non-exclusive registrar agreement with IEDR and obtains from IEDR the right to apply for the registration and renewal of domain names under the “.ie” domain on behalf of applicants and Registrants respectively;
“the Registrant” means the person having obtained the registration of a particular name in the “.ie” domain;
“register” means the database of all registered .ie domain names, operated by IEDR;
“The Registry” means IEDR;
“the Rules” mean all rules and regulations applicable to the .ie Top Level Domain, including without limitation the IEDR Registration Policy, the IEDR Naming Policy, the Acceptable Use Policy, these Terms and Conditions, the WHOIS Policy on the Site, the IEDRP Rules, as published amongst others on the Site and the WIPO, http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/rules/ie.html;
“Services” mean processing applications to register or renew a domain name, in the light of the Rules, maintaining overall ownership, control and responsibility for the register, making change to the register at Registrant request or at the request of your Registrar if the domain name is not on hold, or providing information about the .ie domain name system or any services available through the Site.
the “Site” means https://www.iedr.ie/.

1.2 This Agreement

By applying to register a domain name whether directly to IEDR or through a Registrar, and by using a domain name post Registration, the applicant in the case of any application for registration of a domain name and the Registrant in the case of an already registered domain name, represent and warrant to IEDR (i) that they have read, understood and accepted this Agreement including in particular the limitations and exclusions from liability set out in clause 12 below (ii) that the provisions of this Agreement are separate from any agreement with the Registrar who acts for them or any of them.

2. Acceptable Domain Names

Subject to these terms and conditions, IEDR will not accept the following domain names for registration.

Names that are already registered (“first come, first served” principle), names in the MSD process, names that are blocked or names that are on hold.
Names that are not registrable as determined by IEDR from time to time or that are prescribed by law or regulation, as “not registrable” or which may not be used as part of a domain name.
Names that consist of characters other than “a-z”, “A-Z”, “0-9” and “-“, or that start or end with “-” (as recommended in RFC 1035, published on the web site of IEDR).
Names of less than two (2) or more than sixty-three (63) characters.
Names with two letters;
Names with “-” on the third and the fourth position.
Names to which the applicant has not been able to authenticate its claim.
Names that do not contain letters from a single script only.
Names which consist exclusively of an alpha -2 country code.

Names will be registered for the person whose application is completed first. An application is complete when it is received by the IEDR computer system (not when it was sent), and when all relevant information and requirements required by the IEDR Registration Policies and Naming Policies has been received and satisfied.

The refusal to register a domain name does not create any rights (priority rights or other) for the applicant. The applicant may file a new application in respect of a different domain name, in competition with anybody else, if that name later becomes available to the public.

3. Registration, Placing on Hold, Revocation, Termination

After the Registrar satisfies and completes the registration process and requirements and pays the registration fees, the Registrant is granted subject to these terms and conditions the right to register in the registry, its domain name and its name as Registrant. Notwithstanding that by registering the domain name, IEDR are not acknowledging that the Registrant has any rights in any words within the domain name, and IEDR are not authorising the Registrant to use the domain name as part of a business.
Registration subject to these terms and conditions is valid for one year (or such longer term if registered and paid for as ‘a multi-year registration’) and is renewable as far as the registration fee has been settled.
A domain name is put on hold if IEDR is notified that appeal proceedings, or legal proceedings, whether within or outside the scope of a court of law, are in progress over that name. A domain name that is on hold cannot be transferred or deleted, nor can the details of the Registrant be modified. The Registrant can, however, still use his domain name.
IEDR may terminate the registration of a domain name if the Registrant submits false, misleading or fraudulent information or documentation during the registration process or breaches any of the terms and conditions of the domain name registration as published by IEDR from time to time. In case of a breach of the terms and conditions, IEDR can send a reminder by e-mail to both the Registrar and the Registrant informing them that the registration will be terminated if the breach is not remedied within 14 days.
IEDR may terminate this Agreement if the Registrant breaches any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and does not rectify such breach within 30 days of a request from IEDR that it does so.
In addition to the foregoing, IEDR may (but shall not be obliged to) transfer (in the circumstances set out in clause 6d), cancel or revoke, alter, or amend a domain name registration, place a domain name registration on hold or prevent its renewal, on any of the following grounds:
1. if fees owing to IEDR in respect of a domain name are not paid within 30 days of a request by IEDR that they be discharged;
2. if the domain name is used for any unlawful purpose;
3. in order to satisfy the requirement of a decision of a court, regulatory authority, act of government or decision of any dispute resolution authority or extra judicial body;
4. where the domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a name in respect of which a right is recognised or established by national or community;
5. where the domain name is defamatory, racist or contrary to public policy;
6. if the domain name has been registered by the Registrant without rights or legitimate interest in the name;
7. if the domain name has been registered or is being used in bad faith;
8. on Registrant’s instructions (including the absence of instructions see section 3h)) or the instructions of a Registrar;
9. if IEDR reasonably believe that the changes to update the Register or to correct any error ambiguity or inaccuracy relating to the domain name registration (including an error in making the domain name available for registration or an error in a previous cancellation of the domain name) would make it more accurate;
10. if the Registrant withdraws its permission to having its personal data displayed on the WHOIS;
11. to carry out the decision an expert has made under the clause 10 dispute resolution process;
12. if the domain name is offered for sale, and the Registrant refuses to withdraw the sale notice, within the time period specified on the Site.
IEDR may cancel or place a domain name on hold by notifying the Registrant if the domain name is being used in a way that is likely to endanger any part of the domain name system or IEDR systems and internet connections.
If the Registrant is an individual, this Agreement will end if the Registrant dies and the person legally appointed to deal with the Registrant’s assets after the Registrant dies does not transfer (in accordance with clause 6d) the domain name (either to themselves or someone else) within a year of his or her death (or at the end of the personal representative’s appointment whichever comes first).
If the Registrant is not an individual, this Agreement will end if the Registrant ceases to trade, or goes into liquidation.
If the Registrant is a consumer within the meaning of the Distance Selling Regulations the Registrant may have a right to cancel the Registration of a domain name to which these terms and conditions apply . This right must be claimed within seven working days of the start of the services (which include any security checks related works). If this occurs, IEDR will cancel the registration of the domain name and provide the Registrant or its Registrar (depending on who paid IEDR) a full refund within 30 days. If IEDR refund the Registrar the Registrant will have to obtain the refund from the Registrar.

4. Fees and Payment

The Registrant agrees and acknowledges that the Registrar acting on his behalf shall pay the initial registration fee and the renewal fee to IEDR according to the agreement between the Registrar and IEDR. The fees are set out on the Site and may be modified at any time and shall be published on the Site. Any such modified fees shall have application to the Registrant in respect of any service procured by the Registrant pursuant to this Agreement 30 days after the modified fees are published on the Site.
The Registrar has access to the computer system of IEDR in order to verify the status and renewal date of the domain names that it manages. The Registrar shall be responsible for informing the Registrant in a timely manner that registration of his domain names is due to be renewed.
IEDR is not responsible or liable for the Registrar’s non-payment of registration or renewal fees, which may result in the non-registration or suspension and subsequent deletion of a domain name (even if the Registrant has paid the Registrar).

5. Obligations of Registrant

5.1 Throughout the term of the registration of a domain name, the Registrant undertakes:

5.1.1 to keep its contact information, as referred to in the Registration Policy, accurate, complete and up to date (i) with the Registrar from whom the Registrant acquires registration services and (ii) with the Registry (via the Registrar or direct) as described in the Registration Policy;

5.1.2 to notify IEDR of any legal proceedings involving a domain name;

5.1.3 to provide any identification or documentary evidence IEDR reasonably ask for and allow IEDR to keep copies of these documents for IEDR files;

5.1.4 to keep secret and safe any passwords the Registrant is issued with, or has, that are supposed to be or are required to be kept secret, for use with IEDR or for accessing IEDR systems. IEDR is entitled to assume that any action done or requested using that password was done or requested by the Registrant or by someone authorised to act for the Registrant. IEDR has procedures for dealing with lost, revoked or compromised passwords which it shall be entitled to enforce as against the Registrant.

5.1.5 to comply at all times with this Agreement , and in using each domain name for which it has a registration, it undertakes to comply with all applicable laws, regulatory requirements and additionally the Rules of IEDR as published from time to time.

5.1.6 to notify IEDR of the details of name servers for the domain name which the Registrant is allowed to use and which respond promptly and correctly about the domain name at all reasonable times.

6. Agreement between Registrant and Registrar, Change of Registrar and Transfer

The registration and renewal process with IEDR will be conducted by the Registrant through an accredited Registrar, who is acting on behalf of the Registrant . IEDR shall make available on its web site a list of the accredited Registrars, and a copy of the typical agreement between IEDR and the Registrar. IEDR is not a party to the agreement between the Registrant and his Registrar and incurs no obligation or liability arising from that agreement.
If a Registrar is no longer an authorised Registrar because the agreement with IEDR is terminated or expires, IEDR will re-designate the account as a “Direct Customer” from which time new terms and conditions will apply, including the Direct Registrant pricing set out on the IEDR website. A 30 day notice period will apply.
If the Registrant wishes to change the Registrar from whom it purchases registration services:
1. such a change should be initiated by the Registrant requesting his current Registrar to move the domain names to the other Registrar. The other Registrar must be an IEDR accredited Registrar of the registry.
2. where Registrant’s current Registrar refuses to make the necessary changes, Registrant should contact IEDR direct with a written request signed by the AdminC that IEDR make the necessary change and provide whatever information IEDR reasonably request.
3. Where IEDR effect the change of Registrar, this will not affect any obligation which the Registrant may have to his current Registrar.
The Registrant acknowledges that IEDR will only facilitate the transfer of a domain name by the Registrant to another Registrant in (i) the circumstances set out in clause 3h) above and (ii) in the circumstances of the acquisition, sale, merger, of the Registrant’s company. Any such request should be directed to Registrant’s Registrar in the first instance.
to notify IEDR if its agreement with its Registrar terminates for any reason or expires.

7. Privacy Policy

The Registrant hereby authorises and permits IEDR to process personal and other data required to operate the “.ie” domain name system in accordance with these terms and conditions and the terms of the IEDR Privacy Statement as set out on the IEDR Site from time to time. IEDR shall only use this data as set out in the Privacy Statement or as provided in these terms and conditions IEDR may only transfer this data to third parties in accordance with the terms of the Privacy Statement or if ordered to do so by the public authorities (local or national, judicial or administrative), upon demand of WIPO mentioned in section 10 or as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. The Registrant has the right to access his personal data and to arrange for it to be amended, where errors exist.
The Registrant shall keep IEDR immediately informed through the Registrar of any change in name, address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers. An omission or delay in informing IEDR of such changes may result in the termination of the registration.
The Registrant hereby authorises and permits IEDR to make the following personal data accessible on its website (through the so called WHOIS-search facility) – along with some other technical data – to guarantee the transparency of the domain name system towards the public:
- Name, Description, and Class of Registrant;
- Category of domain name
- Date of renewal and status of the domain name;
- Name and nic-handle of Registrant (admin-c);
- Name and nic-handle of Technical contact (tech-c)

The Registrant also authorises IEDR to transfer this data to third parties within the scope of domain name information or monitoring services.

Third parties or Authorities including police, The Courts or other law enforcement agencies that want to know the personal data of a Registrant and that have legitimate reasons for such a disclosure, can send a request to IEDR. IEDR will evaluate the invoked legitimacy for the disclosure and take a decision whether or not to communicate the requested data.

8. Representations and Warranties, Authority

The Registrant represents and warrants during the term of registration of a domain name that:
1. all statements made during the registration process and the term of the registration are true, complete and accurate;
2. registering the domain name and using the domain name will not infringe or otherwise violate the rights of a third party;
3. the domain name is not registered for and will not be used for an unlawful purpose;
4. the domain name is not used or will not be used in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, such as a name that helps to discriminate on the basis of race, language, sex, religion or political view;
5. the domain name is not contrary to public policy or morality (e.g. obscene or offensive names);
6. the domain name was not registered, without rights or legitimate interests in the domain name nor was it registered in bad faith nor will it be used in bad faith;
7. the Registrant is entitled to register the domain name and the Registrant has not registered the domain name in any way that fails to meet with any legal obligation the Registrant has
The Registrant authorises IEDR to act on the instructions of and communicate with whichever Registrar the Registrant designates from time to time and with whichever legal representative the Registrant designates from time to time. Accordingly the Registrant acknowledges and agrees that IEDR are entitled to treat any communication to or from the Registrant’s Registrar as being to or from the Registrant.

9. Change of Terms and Conditions

This Agreement and the Rules are dynamic and subject to change.
If IEDR at its sole discretion opts to change this Agreement and or the Rules it will make the new or modified Agreement and or Rules available to the public by posting them on its web site at least thirty (30) days before the new or modified Agreement and or Rules take effect. Each application for registration of a domain name will be handled according to the Agreement and or Rules in effect on the date the application is complete.
Without prejudice to clause 9(b) IEDR may modify the technical registration rules of section 2 without the application of the mentioned minimum delay of thirty (30) days. Such modifications will take effect from the moment of their announcement on the website of IEDR. IEDR can only make use of this specific procedure as far as those modifications seem justified within the national or international technical context and as far as they are intended to prevent registrations of a speculative nature.
IEDR shall be under no obligation to inform Registrants, whose domain names have been rejected in the past, that new rules apply, even if the rejected names would be allowed under the new rules.

10. Dispute Resolution Policy

Dispute resolution. The Registrant shall submit the following disputes to IEDR’s alternative dispute resolution proceedings and accepts in this regard the competence of WIPO as an accredited Dispute Resolution Entity. The Registrant accepts that those proceedings shall be conducted by WIPO in accordance with the procedures on the web site of IEDR. The procedure will be conducted in the English language. Every dispute will be governed by the dispute resolution policy applicable when the complaint is filed.
Applicable disputes.
1. The Registrant shall submit a dispute to alternative dispute resolution proceedings if a third party (a “Complainant”) asserts to WIPO, in compliance with the rules of procedure, and proves that:
  1. the Registrant’s domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark, a trade name, a social name or corporation name, a geographical designation, a name of origin, a designation of source, a personal name or name of a geographical entity in which the Complainant has rights; and
  2. the Registrant has no rights or legitimate interests in the domain name; and
  3. the Registrant’s domain name has been registered or is being used in bad faith.
2. The evidence of such in bad faith registration or use of a domain name can inter alia be demonstrated by the following circumstances:
  - circumstances indicating that the domain name was registered or acquired primarily for the purpose of selling, renting, or otherwise transferring the domain name to the Complainant who is the owner of the trademark, trade name, social name or corporation name, geographical designation, name of origin, designation of source, personal name or name of the geographical entity, or to a competitor of that Complainant, for valuable consideration in excess of the costs directly related to the domain name; or
  - the domain name was registered in order to prevent the owner of a trademark, a trade name, a social name or corporation name, a geographical designation, a name of origin, a designation of source, a personal name or a name of a geographical entity from reflecting this name in a corresponding domain name, provided that the Registrant has engaged in a pattern of such conduct; or
  - the domain name was registered primarily for the purpose of disrupting the business of a competitor; or
  - the domain name was intentionally used to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to the Registrant’s web site or other on-line location, by creating a likelihood of confusion with the Complainant’s trademark, trade name, social name or corporation name, geographical designation, name of origin, designation of source, personal name or name of a geographical entity as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of the Registrant’s web site or location or of a product or service on his web site or location.
3. If a complaint is filed, the Registrant can demonstrate his rights or legitimate interests to the domain name by the following circumstances:
  - prior to any notice of the dispute, the Registrant used the domain name or a name corresponding to the domain name in connection with a bona fide offering of goods or services or made demonstrable preparations for such use; or
  - the Registrant (as an individual, business, or other organization) has been commonly known by the domain name, even if he has acquired no trademark; or
  - the Registrant is making a legitimate and non-commercial or fair use of the domain name, without intent for commercial gain to misleadingly divert consumers or to tarnish the trademark, trade name, social name or corporation name, geographical designation, name of origin, designation of source, personal name or name of the geographical entity at issue.
Rules of procedure. The rules of procedure of WIPO state the process for initiating and conducting the proceedings and for appointing the Administrative Panel that will decide the dispute.The rules of procedure shall determine the fees that the Complainant shall pay.WIPO publishes the rules of procedure on its web site.
Non-intervention of IEDR. IEDR does not, and will not, participate in the administration or conduct of any proceedings before the Administrative Panel. Neither IEDR, WIPO or the Administrative Panel will be liable as a result of any fault made in the dispute resolution process, except for intentional faults.
Remedies. The remedies available to a Complainant under any proceedings before the Administrative Panel are limited to requiring the Deletion of the domain name registration or the transfer of the domain name to the Complainant.
Notification and publication. WIPO shall publish all decisions under this dispute resolution policy on the Internet during a reasonable term. IEDR shall also be informed of these decisions. If the Registrant is involved in other legal procedures concerning his/her domain name, he/she shall inform IEDR of the final decision(s). IEDR may decide to publish the decisions referred to in the present section.
Courts of competent jurisdiction. The submission to the IEDR’s alternative dispute resolution procedures does not prevent either the Registrant or the Complainant from submitting the dispute to a court of competent jurisdiction for independent resolution before, during or after those proceedings. If the Administrative Panel decides that the domain name registration should be cancelled or transferred, IEDR will implement that decision 21 days after being informed of the Administrative Panel’s decision except if the Registrant has started the appeal procedure of the dispute resolution in due time. If the appeal procedure was started in time, IEDR will not take further action (whilst leaving the domain name on hold) until the appeal procedure has ended or has been cancelled.
Other disputes. All other disputes between the Registrant and any party other than IEDR over the domain name registration that are not brought under the IEDR’s alternative dispute resolution procedures shall be resolved through any court proceedings, arbitration or other available proceedings, such as the IEDR’s Appeals Procedure, set out on its website.
Defences. IEDR will not participate in any dispute between the Registrant and any party other than IEDR over the registration and use of the domain name, neither in the IEDR’s alternative dispute resolution proceedings, nor in any other proceedings. The Registrant shall not name IEDR as a party or otherwise include it in any such proceedings. If IEDR is named as a party in any such proceedings, it reserves the right to raise any and all defences deemed appropriate, and to take any other action necessary to defend itself.
Domain name on hold. As soon as a request for alternative dispute resolution is properly filed with WIPO and the appropriate fee is paid, WIPO shall inform IEDR of the identity of the Complainant and the domain name involved. IEDR shall immediately put the domain name involved “on hold”, under section 3 of these terms and conditions. The domain name remains on hold until the end of the proceedings set out in paragraph (g).
Costs of dispute resolution. The dispute resolution fee is payable by the Complainant. The potential financial loss for the Registrant is the result of the risk that the latter took for the speculative registration of domain names on which third parties have rights.

11. The Registry and Communication between the Registry and the Registrant.

IE Domain Registry Limited is registered in the Republic of Ireland (CRO number 315315), 14 Windsor Terrace, Sandycove, Co Dublin, Republic of Ireland, phone number +353-1-2365400, email address hostmaster@iedr.ie. Vat Registration Number 6335315V.
The Registrant authorises IEDR to communicate with it via email or by post at IEDR’s discretion.
Any official communication between IEDR and the Registrant may be effected by email and or by registered post:
1. if to IEDR to: hostmaster@iedr.ie or by registered post to the address of IEDR as set out above ;
2. if the Registrant: the Administrative Contact (AdminC) email address communicated to the Registry by the Registrant or by the Registrar acting on behalf of the Registrant or by registered post to the address of the Registrant or his Registrar held by IEDR.

12. Exclusions and Limitations of Liability

Nothing in this Agreement shall be taken to exclude or limit IEDR’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence under applicable law.
IEDR limits its liability for physical damage to tangible property caused by its negligence to the sum of €250,000 for any event or series of connected events. Damage to or loss of data shall not constitute physical damage to tangible property.
Subject to 12 a) above, all representations, terms, conditions and all warranties whether express or implied by statute, law or otherwise including under s 39 of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980, relating to the provision of the Services and the operation of the IEDR systems and the data in them are excluded to the maximum extent permissible by law;
IEDR will not be liable to the Registrant whether under contract law, tort or under statute arising from any breach by IEDR of the provisions of this Agreement including without limitation breach in relation to the provision of the Services,for:: di) indirect or consequential loss; dii) any loss of profit, revenue, loss of business or contracts; or loss of expected savings or goodwill; diii) any mistake or missing information in the register; div) any loss of registration or use of a domain name, or both dv) or default by IEDR in registration or renewal (for whatever reason and whether temporary or otherwise), of the domain name; or dvi) any; error concerning identity of a registrant; or dvii) technical problems or faults with the Site or inability to access the Site; or dviii) third party claims in respect of a domain name; or dix) acts or omissions of the Registrar regarding the application, registration or renewal of domain names which may result in the non-registration or Deletion of a domain name.
IEDR exclude any liability whatsoever to the Registrar and any Registrant to whom the Registrar provides services to, as a result of any failure or inaccuracy, delay or error in the operation of the IEDR Site, systems or the information in them.
IEDR’s liability to the Registrar under this Agreement for any direct loss or damage in any 365 day period or part thereof for any breach or series of breaches whether or not connected to this Agreement, shall be limited to an amount corresponding to the fees IEDR received from the Registrar in that period or 5,000 Euro whichever is lower.
The Registrant shall indemnify and keep IEDR indemnified in full on demand against any claim (and the resulting costs, including legal fees, loss or expense) originating from the use or registration of a domain name that infringes the rights of a third party.

13. Survival

Notwithstanding the expiry of this Agreement, or termination of this Agreement for any reason, by either party thereto, such expiry or termination shall not affect the coming into force or the continuance in force of any provision of this Agreement which is expressly or by implication intended to come into force or continue in force on or after that termination or expiry. Without prejudice to the foregoing, sections 4, 7, 8, 12,13,14 and 15 shall survive the expiry or termination of this Agreement howsoever caused.

14. Headings

The headings and captions to the various clauses/sections are for convenience of reference and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

15. Severance

In the event that one or more provisions of this Agreement is or becomes or is deemed, illegal, invalid, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement and this Agreement shall be as if such illegal invalid or unenforceable provision(s) had not been contained herein.

16. Proper Law and Jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of Ireland and subject to clause 10, the Registrant submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of Ireland in respect of any dispute arising hereunder.

17. Entire Agreement

This Agreement together with any document referred to in it, are the entire contract between IEDR and the Registrant in respect of the Services provided by IEDR, and replace all previous contracts, understandings and representations whether spoken or written.

18. Assignment

IEDR is entitled by notice to a Registrant to assign, novate, sub-contract or otherwise dispose of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any authority or body established by law or authorised by law or regulatory requirement, in order for such body to perform any of the functions that previously had been performed by IEDR.