Sex.eu was the most sought after domain name using the
new European Union TLD (top-level domain), after registrations
started yesterday.
According to data supplied by domain registrar EURid, sex.eu
received the highest number of applications. The next most popular
request was for a hotel.eu domain name.
Travel.eu, jobs.eu, hotels.eu, casino.eu, poker.eu, golf.eu,
business.eu and music.eu were next on the list. Porn.eu took 11th
place, said EURid.
EURid said it received 100,000 requests on the first day, with
45,000 requests in the first 20 minutes via its applications
website.
German organisations lodged the highest number of requests, with
almost 35,000 applications, followed by France and the Netherlands.
UK-based organisations lodged 10,000 applications.
International companies with a strong European presence are
expected to register for an .eu domain to operate European-specific
websites.
The registration of domains is being done in three stages to
reduce the chance of cyber-squatters from cashing in from the
process.
Cyber-squatters quickly buy up popular or known names to
potentially sell them on to legitimate businesses. For the first
two months, only registered trademarks, public bodies, company
names and some others will be able to adopt an .eu domain.
A second registration phase will begin on 2 February, when
companies with unregistered trademarks or trade names can apply.
The registration process will then be open to all from April, when
the first .eu domains will be in use.
The registration process is being run by EURid on behalf of
US-based ICANN, which controls the worldwide domain name
process.