CNNIC Implementing Rules of Domain Name Registration
Chapter 1 General Article 1 These Rules are formulated in accordance with the provisions of the “China Internet Domain Name Regulations” (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”), in order to regulate and standardize the domain name registration services and management.
Article 2 Any application for registration of the “.CN” domain name and the Chinese domain names as “.中国”, “.公司” or “.网络” under control of CNNIC, or any provision of domain name registration services shall comply with these Rules.
Article 3 The domain name systems involved in the rules shall meet the requirements of the announcement by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on China’s Internet domain name systems.
Chapter 2 Registrars Article 4 Any bodies intending to provide the domain name registration services specified herein in China shall obtain approval from Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and sign agreements with CNNIC.
Article 5 Any bodies intending to provide services of registration of the “.CN” domain name and the Chinese domain names as “.中国”, “.公司” or “.网络” are required:
1) To obtain the license for value-added telecom service of Internet information service according to the law;
2) To set up domain name registration service system within China with technical and customer service staff specializing in domain name services;
3) To have the credibility or capability of providing clients with long-term services;
4) To develop business development plans and related technical schemes;
5) To take effective network and information security safeguard measures;
6) To establish a sound domain name registration exit mechanism; 7) To comply with other relevant national rules and regulations.
Article 6 Any registrars intending to provide services of registration of
the “.CN” domain name and the Chinese domain names as “.中国”, “.公司” or “.网络” shall sign the Letter of Intent with CNNIC.
Article 7 Any registrars holding the “Letter of Intent” signed with CNNIC that apply to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for domain name registration service provision and obtain approvals shall sign relevant agreements with CNNIC.
Article 8 The registrars shall provide domain name registration services separating the services from other business activities, and separating relevant domain name registration, forms and agreements from other business documentation.
Article 9 The registrars shall display or publicize the license number and the approved registration scope of domain names issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as well as the information of the services hotlines of CNNIC and the registrar at their operating sites or on their website homepages or business forms.
Article 10 The registrars establish a sound network and security emergency response system and intensify the domain name registration review to ensure no violation of the registered domain names to the provisions of Article 27 of the Rules.
Article 11 The registrars shall retain the correspondences with CNNIC and the domain name applicants and holders as well as relevant documents and records while providing domain name registration services with a minimum retention period of three years.
Article 12 In the process of domain name registration service provision, the domain name registration service providers are not allowed:
1) To provide domain name registration services in the name of government agencies, other enterprises or institutions or any social organizations;
2) To regist domain names with false information to take up domain name resources in disguised forms;
3) To provide domain name registration services by means of unfair competition, e.g. misleading or threatening clients;
4) To force the clients to extend the period of registration or sell with other services bundled;
5) Not to submit the registration information to CNNIC according to the actual registration period;
6) To reject the application of the domain name holders for the domain name transfer code or charge the holders for the transfer application;
7) To disclose the registration-related information of the clients
which infringes the legitimate rights and interests of the clients, or use such information to obtain illegitimate interests;
8) To carry out domain name trading and investments for the purpose of profits;
9) Other behaviors that go against laws and regulations or infringe the clients’ interests.
In case of any registrar violating the above provisions, the CNNIC shall require it to be held responsible for the violation in accordance with the agreements signed, or terminate the cooperation agreement in case of gross violation.
Article 13 In case of one of the following, the CNNIC shall terminate relevant agreements signed with the registrars and report the same to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for filing:
1) Ministry of Industry and Information Technology disqualifies the registrars from providing domain name registration services;
2) The registrarsare no longer capable of providing normal services due to major business problem;
3) The “Registra Accreditation Agreement” signed between CNNIC and the registrars terminates;
4) The registrar act with gross violation of these Rules and other relevant regulations.
The disqualified domain name registration service providers shall: 1) Distribute or transfer the domain names to be registered to other
qualified registraror other registrar designated by CNNIC within ten days after being disqualified;
2) Keep the clients’ registration information confidential without any disclosure to others or using such information to obtain illegitimate interests.
Chapter 3 Domain Name Registration Application and Review
Article 14 An applicant for domain name registration (hereinafter referred to as “the applicant”) shall be a lawfully registered organization that can bear independently its own civil responsibilities.
Article 15 The applicants may submit the application for domain name registration to the registrars by registering online, sending e-mails or in writing, and shall sign the domain name registration agreements with the domain name registration service providers.
Article 16 An application for domain name registration shall contain: 1) The domain name applied; 2) The host names and IP addresses of the primary domain name
server and the secondary domain name server; 3) The applicant’s name, organization code certificate or business
license number, head of the organization, specific industry it belongs to, mailing address, postal code, e-mail, telephone number and fax number;
4) names, units, mailing addresses, postal codes, e-mails, telephone numbers and fax numbers of the applicant’s domain name technical contact, management contact, payment contact and the principal undertaker;
5) Period for the domain name registration.
Article 17 The applicants shall make the commitment in the domain name registration agreement:
1) To comply with laws and regulations related to the Internet networks;
2) To comply with the Procedures and other relevant regulations of competent authorities;
3) To comply with these Rules and other regulations as the domain name dispute resolution policy;
4) To ensure the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of the registration information submitted.
Article 18 The application date shall be the date when CNNIC receives the first valid registration application. CNNIC and the registrars shall inform the applicants of the application dates.
Article 19 The domain name registration service providers shall submit the information required by Article 16 hereof to CNNIC within one working day after receiving the registration application.
Article 20 The registrars shall be responsible for accepting and handling the domain name registration applications and shall review the relevant documents submitted together with the applications.
Article 21 CNNIC shall review and determine whether the domain names applied and the registration information violate the provisions of the Regulations. CNNIC may carry out verification on the domain name registration information by inquiring via phone or on-site inspection. In case of any domain name violating the provisions of Article 27 of the Regulations or with false, inaccurate or incomplete registration information, CNNIC shall inform the registrars of such cases for cancellation.
Article 22 When applying for a third-level domain under “.GOV.CN”, the applicants shall provide the following documents to the registrars:
1) The registration application form bearing the official seal of the applicant organization;
2) Relevant documents certifying the status of the applicant organization as a government agency.
The registrars shall submit the copies of the above documents together with the registration information. The registrars and CNNIC shall keep the above documents permanently.
Article 23 Rules for the application for registration of third-level domains under “.EDU.CN” shall be separately formulated by China Education and Research Network Center.
Article 24 Rules for the application for registration of third-level domains under “.MIL.CN” shall be separately formulated by China Great Wall Network Information Center.
Article 25 Rules for the application for registration of third-level domains under “.政务.CN” or “.公益.CN” shall be separately formulated by China Organizational Name Administration Center.
Chapter 4 Domain Name Changes and Cancellation Article 26 In case of any changes to the registration information rather than the information of the domain name holder, the domain name holder shall apply to the registrars for registration information changing within thirty days after the changes take place. When applying for registration information changes, the applicant shall submit relevant application documents for domain name changes in the way selected while applying for the domain name registration. The domain name shall be changed and put into use only upon obtaining the approval of the registrars. The registrars shall submit the changed registration information to CNNIC within three working days after receiving the changes from the domain name holder. The registrars shall not make changes to any client’s registration information without the consent of the domain name holder.
Article 27 Any organization that applies for domain name transfer shall submit the application form for domain name transfer and identification documents bearing official seals of the organization or being notarized to the registrars. The domain name may be changed and put into use only upon obtaining the approval of the registrars within three working days after the registrars receive the application form for domain name transfer.
Article 28 Any organization that applies for domain name cancellation shall submit the application form for domain name cancellation and identification documents bearing official seals of the organization or being notarized to the registrars. The domain name may be cancelled upon obtaining the approval of the registrars within three working days after the registrars receive the application form for domain name cancellation.
Article 29 Regarding the domain names that violate the Regulationss and these Rules and shall be cancelled, CNNIC shall take the following actions
after receiving any written complaints: 1) If the complaints on any domain name in violation of the
provision of Article 27 of the Regulations are confirmed, CNNIC shall make the decision on cancellation of the domain name within seven working days.
2) Regarding any complaints for false, inaccurate or incomplete domain name information, CNNIC shall make verification within two working days. If the complaints are confirmed, CNNIC shall notify the domain name registration service providers and the domain name holder to make modifications of the information in accordance with the Regulations If the domain name holder fails to modify its registration information within five working days after CNNIC gives notification to the contacts specified in the holder’s domain name registration information, then CNNIC shall make the decision on canceling the domain name.
3) CNNIC shall notify the complainant and relevant registrar of the cancellation on the date when it makes the decision. The registrar shall inform the domain name holder within one working day after receiving the cancellation notice, and shall implement the cancellation after ten days as of the date of cancellation notice.
4) If any complaint cannot be confirmed after relevant inspection and verification, CNNIC shall make an explanation to the complainant.
Article 30 The registrar shall not accept any application of the domain name holder for transferring or canceling any domain name under judicial proceedings, arbitrations or dispute resolution process, except where the party to which the domain name is being transferred agrees in writing to be bound by the judgment of the people’s court, the arbitration institution or the institution resolving the domain name dispute.
Chapter 5 Changing of Registrars Article 31 The domain name holder shall not apply for changing the registrar in the following circumstances:
1) The domain name has been registered for less than sixty days; 2) The period of registration will expire in less than fifteen days; 3) The domain name has been registered with unpaid registration
fees; 4) The domain name holder has unidentified or disputed status; 5) The domain name is held under proceedings of a judicial body,
an arbitration institution or a domain name dispute resolution institution.
Article 32 The original registrar (hereinafter referred to as the transferor) shall provide the domain name holder with the correct transfer code within three working days after receiving a valid application submitted by the
domain name holder, and shall not charge for the transfer. If the transferor fails to provide the transfer code within three working days after receiving a valid application submitted by the domain name holder, or provides incorrect transfer code, then CNNIC may directly change the registration service provider.
Article 33 The registrar which the domain name is transferred to (hereinafter referred to as the transferee) shall make a request for changes to CNNIC after receiving the application for changing the domain name registration service provider submitted by the domain name holder.
Article 34 The valid application documents submitted by the domain name holder for changing the registrar shall be retained by both the transferor and the transferee and available to CNNIC upon request.
Article 35 CNNIC shall, upon receiving the transferee’s request for changing, give notices to the transferee and the transferor in writing (including that in electronic form). If the transferor gives express consent to the changing or fails to make replies within five working days after CNNIC gives the written (or electronic) notices, then CNNIC will change the registrar.
Article 36 If the transferor rejects the request for transfer, it shall promptly notify CNNIC and the transferee in writing (including that in electronic form) with specific reason explained.
Article 37 CNNIC shall reject the domain name holder’s application for transfer if the reason for refusal explained by the transferor is included in that specified in Article 31; if not, CNNIC may change the registrar.
Article 38 CNNIC shall notify the transferor and the transferee in writing (including that in electronic form) of the updates of database and information of the registration service provider.
Article 39 After the domain name holder changes the registrar, the transferee shall pay CNNIC for one-year operation of the domain name transferred. The period for the registration shall then be extended for one year.
Chapter 6 Domain Name Dispute Resolution Article 40 The registrars shall actively cooperate with the people’s court, arbitration institution or any other domain name dispute resolution institution on the resolution of domain name disputes. Upon receipt of the request made by the domain name dispute resolution institution in accordance with the requirements of the “CNNIC Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy”, “Rules for CNNIC Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy”, and any other
supplementary rules formulated by the institution, the registrars shall make replies within three working days; if not, it shall give specific reasons.
Article 41 The registrars shall take necessary measures to prevent the disputed domain name from being cancelled or transferred.
Article 42 If the dispute resolution institution rules in its decision to cancel the registered domain name or to transfer it to the complainant, the domain name registration service provider, before enforcing the decision, shall wait ten calendar days calculating from the date on which the decision is published. If during such waiting period the respondent submits valid proof attesting that a competent people’s court or arbitration institution has accepted the relevant dispute, the registrars shall not enforce the decision of the dispute resolution institution.
Chapter 7 Domain Name Operation Fees Article 43 The registrars shall, in accordance with the Regulations, charge the domain name holder for operation of the domain name.
Article 44 The expiry date of the domain name shall be the same as the registration application date. The registrars shall, before the expiry date, remind the domain name holder to renew the domain name by effective means as e-mails. The domain name holder shall not refuse to renew its domain name for the reason of having not received the renewal notice. The domain name registration service provider shall have records on such notices retained. The period for the domain name will be automatically extended upon renewal within 45 calendar days after the expiry date. If the domain name holder gives written notices on no further renewal within the above period, then the registrars may have the right to cancel the domain name; if the domain name holder fails to give any notice or make any renewal, within the above period, then the domain name registration service provider may have the right to cancel the domain name upon expiry of the above 45-day period.
Chapter 8 Client Complaint Mechanism Article 45 CNNIC has hotlines and e-mail for quality supervision and complaints of domain name registration services, which are available on CNNIC website (http://www.cnnic.cn).
Article 46 CNNIC shall give replies within five working days after receiving the complaints.
Article 47 CNNIC shall supervise the registration services and activities of the registrars. Regarding any registrars violate the implementation rules hereof, CNNIC shall take appropriate actions in accordance with the agreements signed with the registrarss
Chapter 9 Supplementary Provisions Article 48 The WWW server set up at CNNIC (site: http://www.cnnic.cn) shall be used to publish the domain name registration information and other related issues.
Article 49 The information provided by the domain name registration applicants in the application forms shall be entered into the publicly accessible database and other publications by the registry or registrars as one of the inputs of the directory service offered to the Internet users, except that particularly declared by the applicants for nondisclosure.
Article 50 CNNIC has the right to amend these Rules subject to the development of the Internet network and the domain name system as well as revisions of relevant laws, regulations and policies.
Article 51 CNNIC reserves the right to interpret the Rules.
Article 52 The Rules shall be implemented since June 5, 2009, while the “CNNIC Rules for Implementation of Domain Name Registration” implemented since December 1, 2002 as well as the “CNNIC Domain Name Transfer Registrars Rule” implemented since February 28, 2003 shall be repealed simultaneously。