Cyrillic ccTLD implementation working group

To ensure smooth implementation of cyrillic domains in global Internet structure, as well as raising user awareness, ccTLD .RU has launched its Cyrillic ccTLD implementation working group. The results of its session can be viewed either by clicking this link (information in Russian) or downloaded as a .pdf file here. The key conclusions can be also seen below.

Public comment is welcome; you can send your suggestions directly to the ccTLD .RU.

Key suggestions for cyrillic domains registration:

  1. Allow registering cyrillic domain names, provided that the names do not contain Latin and Cyrillic alphabet at the same time. To ensure that the domain names can be easily distinguished from their Latin analogues and to improve their ergonomics, work over improving the international standard regulating national domains so that it will allow .rf (.ðô) to be used as an addition to .ru. 
  2. Add cyrillic alphabet to the number of letters allowed in domain names. Further additions to the list of allowed symbols should be carried out if needed.
  3. Restrict the minimum number of letters in cyrillic domains to 2 letters; maximum should be restricted regarding to technical possibilities.
  4. Start the priority phase of domain name registration during which the applications could only be processed for the owners of individual brand names or other distinguishing properties protected by the law. The application types and their priorities are yet to be discussed. The applications for the same domain name wioth the same priority should be processed on ‘first come, first served’ basis.
  5. Establish the following phases of cyrillic domain launch:
    • phase during which the domains reserved for government, social and technical needs can be recognized;
    • sunrise phase when the applications could be accepted from the priority applicants (2-4 months); the time is needed for applicants to collect and for registrars to check all documents that confirm the rights of the priority applicant(s) to own the corresponding domain;
    • application processing phase (1-2 months) when the applications and claims could be processed and resolved;
    • the landrush phase when the fee for the domain name can be lowered in 1-2 months to conform with standard fees in .ru domain.