AFNIC (the French Network Information Centre, a non-profit association that manages the .fr and .re registries) is changing the registration rules for AFNIC operated extensions as of tomorrow (Dec 6, 2011). This is good news because the local contact requirements for some AFNIC operated extensions (listed below) will be less restrictive and thus, will simplify the registration process. The extensions are:

• .fr (France)
• .wf (Wallis and Futuna)
• .tf (French Southern and Antarctic territories)
• .re(Réunion)
• .pm (St. Pierre and Miquelon)
• .yt (Mayotte)

What does this mean? AFNIC will now allow domains to be registered to registrants who are individuals or entities in any European Union countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. If you are unable to meet the local contact requirements, Safenames Local Contact Service enables you to register domains in these (and many other) extensions.

Additionally, the following sub-extensions will no longer be open for new registrations after December 6, 2011. But all currently registered domains in the sub-extensions listed below under the previous AFNIC registration policy will be grandfathered and will continue to be maintained in the .fr zone file:

• com.fr
• .tm.fr
• .asso.fr

Finally, AFNIC has also changed the registration rules on .fr domains names for companies and individual owners of a registered trademarks that are valid in France, but whose country of residence/incorporation is not within one of the regions listed above. These specific entities will no longer be eligible to register new domains, but will be able to keep their domain names.

If you have any questions about these changes or would like to register domains with these extensions, please contact Safenames Customer Support at +44.1908.200.022 or +1.703.574.5313.

Related posts:

1. .yu top level domain soon to be changing to .rs; registration now available
2. Frequently Asked Questions for .ES multilingual domain names pre-registration
3. Argentinean Registry Announces New Registration Limitations for .AR Domain Names
4. Portugal (.pt) domain adopts ‘no restriction’ policy; anyone can register .pt domain name
5. Safenames adds three new ccTLD registrar accreditations – .EG (EGYPT), .EE (Estonia) and .NE (Niger)