.cn to individuals, but registrars may be slow to follow — China reopens

Individuals can now register .cn domains, but domain registrars may still be cautious regarding offering the domains.

Following clamping down on .cn domain registrations a few years ago, China is beginning to open up its country code top level domain again.

Yesterday China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the registry for .cn domain names, disclosed that registration would again be available to individuals instead of just businesses.

CNNIC disclosed restrictions on .cn domain registrations in December 2009. This included only allowing businesses to register domains. It then abruptly disclosed that non-Chinese domain registrars would no longer be allowed to register .cn domain names. It later considered reversing course, but required registrars to collect personal information regarding each registrant counting a color headshot photo identification, business identification (counting a Chinese business registration number), and physical signed registration forms from the registrant.

Go Daddy, the world’s largest domain name registrar, decided not to reinstate .cn registration capabilities in light of these requirements. It stated its reasons were less financial than concerns regarding handing over this personal information.

Mostly as a result of a crackdown on .cn registrants, .cn registrations fell from a peak of 14 million to just over 3 million.

Now that CNNIC has reopened registrations for individuals, will Go Daddy start offering .cn registrations again? I reached out to Go Daddy earlier today for comment.

Rich Merdinger, Vice President of Product Development – Domains, released the following statement:

We are monitoring recent developments with CNNIC involving domain name registrations. We will also be listening to our clients regarding their demand for .CN domain names.

My guess is registrars remain cautious regarding offering .cn.