During the sunrise application period for .eu domain names, I made an application for my company’s name under the rules which permit owners of registered companies to make such applications. The website details a requirement to submit documentary evidence, so I provided a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, since the application was being made in the company’s name and not in my name as director (hence no requirement to prove ownership). I felt confident that the application would proceed without any problem, particularly as the EURid website suggests that limited companies should have no problem applying.
My application has been rejected, much to my annoyance.
I’ve now read the fine print and am embarrassed that I didn’t do so at the beginning. In addition to the requirement for a copy of something like a Certificate of Incorporation, there is also a requirement for an affadavit to show that such a title as Limited Company is sufficient for the rules for sunrise applications. This seems utterly superfluous to me, as limited companies are clearly included in the list of permitted entities on the website, so one would assume that they wouldn’t need an affadavit! One would also think that they could check records with Companies House and also, by virute of training and experience, get to know what a Certificate of Incorporation looks like!
As a consequence, I have no grounds for appeal (and probably would baulk at paying the EUR 2200 appeal fee anyway) and must wait until my name is released from the sunrise process and make an application under the general release rules.
In general, I am a fan of the European Union but instances such as this do nothing to dispel the reputation that the EU has for being excessively bureaucratic.