Top Level Domain ".fi"
The right to use the ".fi" top level domain, that is, a domain name ending with ".fi", is registered through a domain name broker. Before, this was handled by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency but currently it only registers single-character and other domain names free of charge for the purposes of domain name administration, makes other necessary registrations, supervises brokerage, maintains the fi-domain name register and can delete a fi-domain names if it infringes another person's protected name or trademark.
The domain name broker registers the domain name. In addition to the top level domain ending with ".fi", it is advisable for a company to register its trademarks and business name in the ".com"- and ".net" top level domains. Furthermore, it may be prudent to submit a national application for registration of the domain name in countries, which are most significant for the company’s business operations. This is due to the fact that all countries have their own designated top level domain, for example, ".se" in Sweden and ".de" in Germany. National registration of domain names is of particular importance when the intention is to pursue business activities abroad.
If someone willfully registers another person’s trademark as a domain name, it may be possible to challenge the registration. This may result in the transfer of the domain name to the proprietor of the trademark. Such situations may arise from time to time because in many countries there is no prior check before the registration procedure.
Generally, the Act on Electronic Communications Services entitles the applicant to freely choose the domain name for the ".fi" top level domain. There are, however, some restrictions regarding the form and content of the domain name. The domain name may:
have a length of 2 to 63 digits;
consist of letters from a to ö;
consist of numbers from 0 to 9;
include a hyphen (subject to certain conditions).
In addition, the domain name must be a functioning internet network address. Therefore, at least two operational name servers must have been configured to serve the domain name, the details of which must be set out in the application. The operation of the name server is tested before the domain name is granted.
It is prohibited that the domain name:
is equivalent to a protected name or mark of another unless the user of the domain name is able to present acceptable grounds for registering the domain name;
resembles a protected name or mark of another if the domain name is registered with a clear purpose to benefit from or cause harm with the domain name.
The following are not considered when evaluating the equivalence of a name or trademark and an “.fi” domain name:
the hyphen in a name or a trademark ( - )
the space in a name or a trademark
the form of association identifier (e.g. Oy, Ky)
national characters å, ä, ö that can be replaced by letter charecters a and o
Domain name applications are subject only to a brief examination in Finnish Transport and Communications Agency. In practice, this means that it is not possible to prevent all registrations contradicting with the provisions of the Act on Electronic Communications Services. For instance, the question of whether the domain name may infringe a registered company name or trademark may be omitted from the examination.
Accordingly, the applicant has significant responsibilities in ensuring lawfulness of domain names. Prior to filing the application, the applicant must establish whether the domain name being applied for infringes another trademark or company name. This task is simplified by databases of trademarks and company names available on the internet. Information regarding restrictions, if applicable, and instructions for such investigations may be obtained from the Domain Name Service of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency.
A domain name is valid for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years at a time. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency will remove a domain name, if its term of validity expires, and the proprietor has not taken action for renewal with their domain name broker. In certain situations, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency may also terminate or revoke a domain name. This may be done not only pursuant to a request of the police or prosecutor, but also if it can be suspected on probable grounds that the domain name, for instance, infringes another party’s right or name, or has been granted on wrongful grounds.