Slovakia – Changes to the domain system
From January 2017 several changes to the rules governing the Slovak domain system will become effective. The changes are the result of the implementation of the European Union regulations and standards in the Slovak domain holding system. Their primary aim is to make the Slovak domain holding more transparent and to take action against registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name with bad faith intent, such as cybersquatting.
The commission for the administration of the Slovak domain, which enacted the changes, cancelled what is known as the proxy holding of Slovak domains by registrars. One of the reasons is that proxy holding allows registrars to hold the domains, but their function is just the administrative and technical management of domains.
Historically the proxy holding has appeared because to date only Slovak entities/persons can hold Slovak domains. Under the new rules, foreign entities also will be permitted to acquire a Slovak domain if they have a delivery address within the European Union or European Economic Area. This will eliminate problems with the cancellation of proxy holdings and ensure the availability of the Slovak domain for foreign subjects.
Furthermore, the domain registration period will be extended from one to ten years and the domain owners will be able to make payment for the domain throughout the whole year, not just before the expiry of the registration period. A new price list unifying the registration fees will become effective and the whole registration process will take place electronically.
Domain holders will be obliged to solve any domain disputes under the rules of alternative dispute resolution – ADR. ADR Centre will be the body authorised to apply the rules. However, according to the commission for the administration of the Slovak domain, such out-of-court solutions of domain disputes do not prevent the persons affected from claiming their rights via (standard) courts. The new ADR system should also contribute to the greater transparency of the Slovak domain, but only time and practice will reveal its real pros and cons.