August 08, 2011
30,000 Previously Banned Domain Names now Legalized
French Internet authorities recently announced the legalization of 30,000 previously banned domain names such as islam.fr and internet.fr. These measures come after the continuous demand by citizens for such domain names to be made available. The passage of the new law was published on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011. As a result, French Internet authorities are now riddled with over 6,000 requests.
The Original Banning of the Terminology
In October 2004, the French constitutional court passed a law that banned the use of French words for specific terminology such as Satan, xenophobia, slave, mosque, Jew, church, brothel, cannabis and business. These types of words were deemed to be unconstitutional according to section L. 45 of the French Electronic Communications and Telecommunications Act.
Replacing the Article
On March 22nd, 2011, an Act was passed replacing the article and establishing a new legal system with regards to domain names under the .FR ccTLD. The primary changes finally game into effect on July 1st, 2011. These changes included easing registration requirements for previously classified terms and statements that were prohibited and reserved.
Most Popular Names
Since July 1st, 2011, over 6,100 requests have been made for the legalization of these domain names. The most sought after domain names include internet.fr, url.fr and enterprise.fr. Therefore, any individual that demonstrates a legitimate interest in a specific domain name and was first in line to put in a request since the passage of the new law will receive the domain name they desire.
Denial Still a Possibility
However, applicants attempting to acquire sensitive domain names like those referring to religious beliefs can be refused at the risk of disturbing public order. The law also states that those offices receiving requests for the now legal domain names should immediately identify the government of the requested or registered name that appear to be against public order or illicit.
Responses from AFNIC
The French Association for Internet Naming and Cooperation (AFNIC) will provide responses to all the applicants on August 29th. Also, the passage of this act has created specific accreditation requirements with which registrars must now follow. AFNIC will be slowly introducing this process in the near future.
Once these domain names are sold, there could be a variety of legal battles in the French judicial system. However, since France is a democracy who provides freedom of speech, those who oppose the usage of the banned names may not win.
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