.az
.az is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Azerbaijan. It is managed by Intra Network Systems (IntraNS).[1]
Rules
The right to use domain names in the ‘az’ country code top-level domain zone is delegated by the National Administrator of Domain Names, while the registration and maintenance services for the domain names are provided by local or foreign registrars. The amount of the fee for registration and maintenance of domain names in the top-level domain zone with the country code ‘az’ is determined by the National Administrator in approval with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan.[2]
Restrictions
When choosing a Domain Name, it is not permissible to use geographical names (names of districts, cities, regions, mountains, rivers, reserves, etc.) belonging to the Republic of Azerbaijan, surnames, names and pseudonyms of prominent and well-known personalities and expressions derived therefrom and their translation into different languages. Registration of such domain names is carried out based on the consent of these persons, their heirs or legal representatives and after approval with the Ministry.
To prevent the use of words or expressions in domain names contrary to social order, morals or ethics, violating human dignity, provoking national outrage, offending and distorting religious values, supporting cruelty, violence and other actions prohibited by law, a ‘Stop-list’ is defined by the National Administrator on the basis of international experience and feedback received from the Ministry.
It is not allowed to use words or expressions, their shortened forms and translations into different languages in domain names, which are contrary to social orders, morals or ethics, violating human dignity, provoking national outrage, offending and distorting religious values, supporting cruelty, violence and other actions prohibited by law. In such cases, the Registrar shall notify the National Administrator to reject the registration of the domain name or to cancel the registration, and to include the respective domain name in the ‘Stop-list’.
According to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan ‘On Trademarks and Geographical Indications’, if the Domain Name or its principal part is registered or used unfairly on the internet network as replicating or imitating a well-known trademark, or as its translated or transliterated form, it is considered to be a violation of the rights of the well-known trade mark owners. In this case, the owner of the well-known trade mark may juridically require the registration authority which registered the contentious domain name, to suspend its registration or to return that name to the owner of the well-known trademark.
The use of the names of the state bodies (institutions) of the Republic of Azerbaijan with their subordinate divisions or subsidiaries, international companies, institutions and enterprises, as well as public and political associations, their shortened forms or translations into different languages in domain names is permitted only with a written application or their consent.
Reserved domain names are registered with the consent of the Ministry. The list of reserved domain names is determined by the Ministry based on the review and suggestions of state bodies (institutions).
Second-level domain names of general use are reserved for the registration of third-level domain names. The decision to determine the new domain names for public use is made by the National Administrator taking into account the views of the Ministry.[2]
Characters
- The Domain Name shall consist of at least 3 and maximum 63 characters;
- The domain name shall only contain scripts used in English (also Azerbaijani, in cases of applying the registration of domain names in the state language of the Republic of Azerbaijan), Arabic digits (0-9) and a hyphen (-);
- A hyphen (-) shall not be used at the beginning and at the end of the domain name, as well as consecutive hyphen (-) characters in the domain name.[2]