General Information

General Information on Domains

Computers in the Internet (also called "hosts") recognize one another through so-called IP addresses, which identify each computer unambiguously. The Domain Name System (DNS) (LINK) links these IP addresses with host names, which may be registered under the so-called Top Level Domains such as .de. Domain names may contain words, names and terms which, in keeping with certain rules, can be chosen at will and are therefore easier to remember for humans than IP addresses. The DNS can also be used to identify services that are associated with a domain. For instance, it can provide information as to which computer is acting as the mail server for a given domain, which name server is responsible for the domain and much more.

The registration of .de domains is handled strictly on a "first come, first served" basis. The decisive point is which domain request is written to DENIC’s database first. DENIC will carry out the customer’s application for registration, provided no domain with that name has already been registered and provided the conditions laid down in DENIC's Domain Guidelines have been met. Registration applications are sent electronically to our automatic registration system by our members. Once registration has been completed, DENIC sends an acknowledgement back to them. If the registration fails, the DENIC member will receive a corresponding error message. Immediately after registration, the domain data can be viewed by means of a whois query. The domain holder must check these entries at once and must immediately arrange for his/her provider to have them corrected if there are any mistakes. This is important for the following reason: If a customer's identity cannot be seen from the registration data or the domain data is inaccurate, DENIC will terminate the domain contract in accordance with its Domain Terms and Conditions and delete the corresponding domain.

In submitting the request to register a domain, the future domain holder assures that the domain will not infringe the rights of any third parties. DENIC does not check the incoming domain applications, nor has it an obligation to do so. It is particularly important to verify who is entered as the domain holder. The domain holder is the one with the material right to the domain. If the domain holder is a legal entity, it is important not to enter the name of a contact person in the data field for the domain holder. This prevents problems or disputes resulting from a lack of clarity as to who the real domain holder is. In order to indicate a contact person within a legal entity, you should name him/her as the administrative contact ("Admin-C").

Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) under .de

Since March 2004, DENIC has also been offering Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs). This standard enables a total of 92 additional characters, including umlauts, to be used in .de domains. For further details, also with regard to the technical background of IDNs, please refer to our FAQs, where we provide such information in the form of questions and answers. Furthermore, we would like to draw your attention to our comments on alleged security problems with IDNs. Please note that some older program versions of browsers or e-mail software may not support IDNs. Our conversion routine allows you to see how an IDN is technically implemented by showing you the so-called ACE string.