.EU Registration Deadline Extended

According to a February 2, 2006 announcement on the EURid website, "When the second Sunrise period begins on Feb 7, the applicants who were eligible to apply during Sunrise 1 can also apply during Sunrise 2, with no exceptions. That means that also trademark license holders (licensees) and public bodies can apply during Sunrise 2, if they haven’t already done so."

James Nurton also wrote for Managing Intellectual Property on February 6, 2006 that "in a previous newsletter, sent in December, EURid said: "Licensees of trade marks can only apply for a .eu domain name under Sunrise I whereas holders of trade marks can do so under Sunrise I and II. This announcement prompted some rights owners to apply for Benelux registrations as a basis for Sunrise I applications. Others set up licences assigning rights to EU-based firms."

Accredited registrars have reportedly criticized the EURid decision as "ad hoc policy making."