Internet extension “.archi”: worldwide opening on June 16

A pre-reservation of .archi domain names is already possible for trademark holders (INPI, etc.) since April 8. For all architects, the opening is set worldwide for June 16, 12 p.m. French time.

Thanks to a partnership with the International Union of Architects, persons reserving an address with such an extension must certify belonging to a national organization of architects, in order to reserve this extension for architects only. The CNOA has been careful to ensure that this .archi extension is limited, for France, to architects and their organizations. Automated checks will be carried out.

How to reserve an .archi:

1. Choose your name: the name of your agency, your last name, your first and last names, or other names… (Cf below What names can I reserve?)

2. Go to the website of the chosen "reseller". (Cf below “Where to book?”)
Please note: prices are free and may vary from one reseller to another. They can also correspond to different services. Beyond the domain name itself, some include in the annual price one or more e-mail addresses associated with the domain name and the corresponding management and consultation tool (webmail), the possibility of creating a simple website , etc ... Here is the list of authorized resellers in France on May 22, 2014: Netim, Gandi, Mailclub (list to be completed)

3. Reserve the chosen names, certify being an architect and pay online. (Some resellers accept other payment methods)

4. "Redirect" my .archi domain name to my current website:

• I can make my main address now my ".archi" address (the one that appears in my browser bar). My previous address continues to refer to my site, but is no longer visible, a bit like when I "forward" my mail when moving
• The reverse is possible, but your .archi address will not be visible, which limits the interest

Whichever case you choose, your visitors will never be lost. It can be the same for e-mail addresses by "rerouting" your previous address to your new .archi address. Your emails won't be lost either.

The reservation process only takes a few minutes. All the resellers offer several payment methods, including online payment. You can therefore benefit from your new address immediately (from June 16).

When to book

There are no date requirements. Like all internet domain names, .archi works on a "first come, first served" basis. The .archi opens on June 16 at 12:00 p.m. (French time). Expect a significant influx of early bird reservations for the most popular names.

What names can I reserve?

As soon as you are an architect, the names depend ... on your imagination! Beyond your name, or that of your agency, you are free to register those of your projects, terms that define your specialization, the geographic scope in which you operate, etc. As with any domain name, everything ( or almost) is possible, as soon as you are an architect. Special cases: registered trademarks are protected by a special procedure. Certain territories are protected or reserved, such as the names of countries, or the French regions which are reserved for the Council of the Order. Certain emblematic terms are also reserved and will be marketed subsequently via a specific procedure (auction).

Who manages the .archi?

The .archi has been delegated by ICANN (international organization in charge of the Internet) to the company Starting Dot which therefore manages the extension at the global level. The "registry policy" (the rules that govern the .archi) was determined in close collaboration with the International Union of Architects and after consultation with the CNOA. This is how it was decided to reserve the .archi for architects, an exceptional fact for a profession on the internet.

Where to book?

The .archi is sold by "registrars", resellers accredited by ICANN, and under contract with Starting Dot. In France, the accredited registrars are: Netim, Gandi, Mailclub, prodomaines.com. The choice is free.

How much does the .archi cost?

The prices of domain names are free (resellers choose their selling price, within the limit of sale at a loss, prohibited). The recommended price for a .archi domain name is € 59 excluding tax per year. This price is higher than a ".com" (15 to 20 € in general) because of the procedures for checking and limiting the extension. The price offered may vary from one reseller to another, it may include additional services such as providing e-mail addresses, creating and hosting a website, etc. The special phases upstream of general availability (June 16) offer special prices, higher than the 59 € mentioned. Some rare names are reserved and will be marketed in the coming months at auction.

>> For more information: http://dot-archi.com/

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