In what I would call old-fashioned, archaic, and kind of bizarre, DENIC, the central German registry is going to make available nine short domains for registration. The only caveat? It is all being done via FAX.
Officially starting on 12 January 2011, DENIC is releasing nine highly-prized domain names on a first come, first served basis:
dw.de
e.de
f.de
g.de
hr.de
sr.de
x.de
y.de
z.de
These domain names will be available for registration, your application must be done via fax (facsimile) machine. There are no other ways that this is being done. Here are the official rules for what I would call a “lottery” for these domain names. Kind of reminds me of a radio station call-in contest:
Registration will be made applying DENIC’s standard “first come, first served” principle. Since the number of available domains is extremely limited, DENIC will use a special procedure: Applicants will have to submit requests by fax to fax numbers established for this particular purpose. This will be the only permitted submission channel. There will be a separate fax number for each domain, which will be active for a period of 30 minutes. The first period will start at 10:00 CET.
Time (CET) Domain Fax number
10:00 – 10:30 dw.de +49 69 24248559
10:30 – 11:00 e.de +49 69 24248603
11:00 – 11:30 f.de +49 69 24248736
11:30 – 12:00 g.de +49 69 24005984
12:00 – 12:30 hr.de +49 69 24005985
12:30 – 13:00 sr.de +49 69 24005986
13:00 – 13:30 x.de +49 69 24005988
13:30 – 14:00 y.de +49 69 24005989
14:00 – 14:30 z.de +49 69 24005990
DENIC will accept only registration requests which are submitted on a specific request form designed for this purpose. Interested parties can download this form from the DENIC website at http://www.denic.de/en/domains/general-information/registration-short-domains.html
The fax server is configured to receive no more than one page per fax transmission and will automatically terminate the connection after one page. Thus, interested parties must ensure that their fax machine will not include a cover sheet for the transmission or spread the text over two pages. The first above mentioned fax number +49 69 24248559 will be connected already 24 hours before the official launch of the registration period, so that own fax configurations can be tested.
The application form must be completed accurately, fully and legibly, and be signed before it is sent to DENIC. The domain will be assigned to the applicant whose complete, correctly filled in and signed fax application is received first by DENIC after opening of the registration period of the respective domain – synchronized with the time server of DENIC (ntp1.denic.de). Factual registration will be effected immediately afterwards, the domain simultaneously being recorded in the DENIC database. After that, it can ad hoc be queried via the DENIC information services (whois etc.).
In general, interested parties have to ensure that the registration and intended use of the domain does not infringe anybody else’s rights nor break any general law.
The holders of the successfully registered domains will be informed by DENIC in writing and must communicate by 26 January 2011 (date of receipt of letter or fax by DENIC) the member of the DENIC Cooperative who is going to administer the domain in the future. Otherwise, the domain will be administered by DENICdirect.
So, if you have a fax machine or some sort of way of faxing your document, here is your chance to get ahold of what is most likely going to nine valuable domain names. My best guess? They will be worth a LOT of money in a few months.
