Domain Compliance & Registration Restrictions

Welcome to the Freeola and GetDotted Support Pages. This guide is designed to explain some of the restrictions and compliance required for certain domain name extensions sold by GetDotted. For more Help Guides, please visit our main Support Page.

While the majority of domain name extensions sold by GetDotted can be registered by anybody, some internet domain registries restrict who can register certain domains. This restriction typically limits registrants to a geographical area (either current or historical association) but can also restrict registration based on profession or type of organisation (e.g. specific professions).

This page will list some of these domain name types, along with the restrictions in place for each. In nearly all cases, if you do not meet the criteria in place for that domain name extension, you will be unable to register that domain name via GetDotted and you should consider alternatives.

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• .BE Domains

• .COOP Domains

• .ECO Domains

• .EU Domains

• .IN Domains

• .MELBOURNE Domains

• .MOBI Domains

• .MUSIC Domains

• .PHYSIO Domains

• .QUEBEC Domains

• .SCOT Domains

• .SPA Domains

• .SYDNEY Domains

• .XXX Domains

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While registrants are not required to be Belgian residents or business operators to register, the registry requires additional validation from a registrant. The registrant receives an email from the registry to validate online.

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Eligible registrants must be one of the following:

• an organisation formed as and/or considered cooperatives under applicable local law

• an association comprised of cooperatives

• an organisation that is committed to the seven cooperative principles

• an organisation that is majority controlled by cooperatives

• an entity whose operations are principally dedicated to serving cooperatives.

The registry will send a validation email to the registrant that needs to be completed before the domain name is usable.

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The registry has two minimum requirements of eligibility to activate a domain:

1. Registrant must pledge to show commitment to the purpose and principles of .ECO:
   "I/we pledge to support positive change for the planet and to be honest when sharing information on environmental actions."

2. Affirm eligibility by sharing eco actions and commitments in a publicly accessible profile.

Upon registering such a domain, the registry will contact the registrant by email, inviting them to complete an Eco Profile affirming their or the user's eligibility.

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The following users may register a .EU domain:

• an EU citizen, independently of their place of residence

• a natural person who is not an EU citizen and who is a resident of a member state

• an undertaking that is established in the EU

• an organisation that is established in the EU, without prejudice to the application of national law.

The citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway can register .EU domains and their variants in other scripts regardless of their place of residence.

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New .IN registrations are required to follow a verification process with the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI). The verification is done via email directly with the registry.

For Private Individuals:

• Government-issued ID (e.g., Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID)

• Brief justification for domain use (1–2 lines)

For Legal Entities (e.g., corporations or organisations):

• Certificate of Incorporation/Registration

• Authorised signatory’s government-issued ID

• Letterhead or other supporting document stating the purpose of domain use

For Foreign Nationals:

• Foreign nationals/entities are eligible to apply for and obtain .IN (India ccTLD) domain names.

• Registrations of .IN domain names by persons/entities residing outside of India (Non-Resident/foreign Registrants), NIXI requires the Non-Resident/foreign Registrant to provide their business connection and/or purpose of connection to India.

This Verification is only required at the time of a new domain registration.

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.MELBOURNE domains are available only to Victorian residents, businesses or other entities with an interest in the State of Victoria. The purpose of the domain is to establish an online space specifically associated with the city of Melbourne, the capital of the State of Victoria, Australia.

Eligible registrants must meet one of the requirements below:

The applicant must be an entity registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Australian Business Register and:

• have an address in the State of Victoria associated with its ABN, RBN or ARBN

OR

• have a valid corporate address in the State of Victoria

The applicant must be an Australian citizen or resident with a valid address in the State of Victoria.

The applicant must be an associated entity and may only apply for domains that are an exact match, partial match, an abbreviation or an acronym of one of the following:

• the business name of the applicant, or the name by which the applicant is commonly known (i.e. a nickname) and the business name must be registered with the appropriate authority in the jurisdiction in which that business is domiciled

• a product that the associated entity manufactures or sells to entities or individuals residing in the State of Victoria

• a service that the associated entity provides to the residents of the State of Victoria

• an event that the associated entity organises or sponsors in the State of Victoria

• an activity that the associated entity facilitates in the State of Victoria

• a course or training program that the associated entity provides to the residents of the State of Victoria

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While there are no restrictions on who can register a .MOBI domain, websites hosted using this domain name extension are required to have been optimised for display on mobile devices.

Mandatory requirements for building a .MOBI website

• Must use XHTML Mobile Profile 1.0 as the default for the landing page

• Cannot use frames

• Site must be present on second level

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The purpose of this gTLD is to exclusively serve the global music community and industry.

• .MUSIC domain is the global music industry standard for official music websites. The .MUSIC domain and identity is exclusive to all members of the global music community, including musicians, creators, bands, groups, industry professionals, companies, associations, and organisations. The .MUSIC domain is secure by default and provides a verified checkmark badge that instils trust and authenticity.

• Registrant Identity Verification. After a .MUSIC domain name is registered at a Registrar, registrants must complete an identity verification through the Registry Operator’s Identity Verification Solution Provider.

• This TLD aims to help strengthen the cultural and social identity of the music community members. Therefore, the buying and holding of .MUSIC domain names as assets for resale, especially in bulk are prohibited.

When applying to register a .MUSIC domain name(s), the applicant must warrant that (self-attestation must be presented during the registration process):

• they meet one of the nexus/eligibility requirements (outlined above), and

• that the domain name and its use will be consistent with the mission and purpose of the gTLD, applicable laws, or requirements as well as the policies of the registry.

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The purpose of this domain is to serve the interests of members of the physiotherapy profession, professional associations and affiliated persons and entities.

Registrants of .PHYSIO domains must meet Criteria A, B, or C as described below.

Where there is a professional association that is a member of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy in the country where the registrant resides, the registrant must be:

• A natural person, AND

• Entitled to be a member of the professional association of the country where the registrant resides or was educated.

Where there is a professional association in the country where the registrant resides, but that association is not a member of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy OR where there is no professional association in the country of residence, the registrant must be:

• A natural person, AND

• Completing or have completed a program of study making the registrant eligible to practice physiotherapy in that country.

If the registrant is a company or organisation:

• One the primary purposes of the company or organisation must be to support, promote, service or supply individuals described by criteria A or B, as an identified professional group, AND

• The domain name registered must be a close and substantial match to the company or organisation’s business name, product or service.

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To register and renew this type of domain name you must be an individual or a legal entity with a nexus to the .quebec community. This nexus means that you must be linked to the community at the time of registration and thereafter on a linguistic, cultural, tourism, commercial basis, or any other activity conducive to the welfare of the worldwide Québec community.

Registrations are restricted to bona fide members of the Québec community, and subject to the further requirement that the registrant’s actions in the .quebec community, as well as the registrant’s use of the registered domain name, must be:

1. generally accepted as legitimate; and

2. beneficial to the cause and the values of the Québec community; and

3. commensurate with the role and importance of the registered domain name; and

4. in good faith at the time of registration and thereafter.

Registrants are also required to state their intended use of the registered domain name.

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To register and renew this type of domain name you must be an individual or a legal entity with a nexus to the .scot community. This nexus means that you must be linked to the community at the time of registration and thereafter on a linguistic, cultural, tourism, commercial basis, or any other activity conducive to the welfare of the worldwide Scottish community.

Registrations are restricted to bona fide members of the .scot community, and subject to the further requirement that the registrant’s actions in the .scot community, as well as the registrant’s use of the registered domain name, must be:

1. generally accepted as legitimate; and

2. beneficial to the cause and the values of the .scot community; and

3. commensurate with the role and importance of the registered domain name; and

4. in good faith at the time of registration and thereafter.

Registrants are also required to state their intended use of the registered domain name.

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.SPA domains are reserved for members, and business owners of the spa and wellness community. Although not required at the time of registration, the registrant must be able to demonstrate proof of compliance on-demand.

• A commercial or trading company with a valid business registration certificate for any spa or wellness industry association

• A membership with any spa or wellness industry association

• A declaration that the domain will be used for the promotion of spas and wellness related products or services

• A valid operating license, where applicable

• A spa, beauty or wellness certification, where applicable

• A declaration that the domain will be used for the promotion of spas and wellness related products or services AND proof of identity which may include identification card copy, passport copy

• A valid operating license, where applicable AND proof of identity which may include identification card copy, passport copy

• A spa, beauty or wellness certification, where applicable AND proof of identity which may include identification card copy, passport copy

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These domains are available only to residents of New South Wales, businesses or other entities with an interest in the State of New South Wales.

To support the mission and purpose of the domain, at the time of submission of the application to register a domain name, applicants must warrant that:

• they meet one of the eligibility requirements (outlined below), and

• that the domain name and its use will be consistent with the mission and purpose of the gTLD, applicable laws, government rules or requirements as well as the policies of the registry

The applicant must be an entity registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Australian Business Register and:

• Have an address in the State of New South Wales associated with its ABN, RBN or ARBN.

OR

• Have a valid corporate address in the State of New South Wales.

The applicant must be an Australian citizen or resident with a valid address in the State of New South Wales.

The applicant must be an associated entity and may only apply for domains that are an exact match, partial match, an abbreviation or an acronym of one of the following:

• The business name of the applicant, or the name by which the applicant is commonly known (i.e. a nickname) and the business name must be registered with the appropriate authority in the jurisdiction in which that business is domiciled.

• A product that the associated entity manufactures or sells to entities or individuals residing in the State of New South Wales.

• A service that the associated entity provides to the residents of the State of New South Wales.

• An event that the associated entity organises or sponsors in the State of New South Wales.

• An activity that the associated entity facilitates in the State of New South Wales.

• A course or training program that the associated entity provides to the residents of the State of New South Wales.

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The .XXX domain extension is reserved for those within the adult entertainment industry who are members of the Sponsored Community (SC), and only domains that are owned by certified members of the Sponsored Community will be allowed to resolve.

The Sponsored Community includes individuals, business, entities, and organisations that provide online, sexually-oriented adult entertainment intended for consenting adults or for other community members, represent providers, or provide products or services to providers and representatives.

Customers can register .XXX domain names and specify that they do not want them to resolve. If the registrant wants to change the name to a resolving name, they need be validated as members of the Sponsored Community and then modify the domain registration with the membership ID.

For more information on .XXX domain names, please visit our dedicated page.