Source: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/20141744/
Timestamp: 2018-09-22 12:04:19
Document Index: 343271298

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art. 32', 'Art. 6', 'Art. 14', 'Art. 151', 'Art. 15', 'Art. 15', 'Art. 15', 'Art. 15', 'Art. 15', 'Art. 33', 'Art. 48', 'Art. 551']

of 5 November 2014 (Status as of 1 November 2017)
1 The aim of this Ordinance is to ensure that private individuals, businesses and public bodies in Switzerland are offered a sufficient, reasonably priced, high quality range of internet domain names that fulfils their requirements.
ensure that Swiss law and the interests of Switzerland are respected during the management and use of the top-level domains that have an effect in Switzerland.
the country code Top-Level Domain [ccTLD]) «.ch» and its transpositions in other alphabets or graphic systems;
the generic Top-Level Domain [gTLD]) «.swiss»;
2 It applies to the situations which have an effect on these domains, even if they occur abroad.
The terms and abbreviations used in this Ordinance are explained in the Annex.
2 It ensures that Switzerland's sovereignty and of the interests are safeguarded in the DNS and in the management and use of top-level domains and of domain names subordinate to them.
2 It may invite delegates (Art. 32 para. 1) and other persons entrusted with all or some of the functions or tasks which are associated with a top-level domain managed by the Confederation or other Swiss public bodies to take part in the work of the international forums and organisations, where they shall safeguard the interests of Switzerland. It may give them instructions.
Art. 6 Provision of information by OFCOM
1 Domains are managed by the registry and by registrars.
2 OFCOM acts as the registry or delegates this task to a third party.
3 It may act as a registrar if no satisfactory registration services are offered on the market.
1 The registry manages the domain in a rational and judicious manner. It acts in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner.
2 It has personnel who have the professional qualifications and knowledge necessary to fulfil its various tasks. It shall appoint a technical manager.
3 OFCOM may issue regulations on the quality and security of the registry services and the methods of monitoring the security and resilience of the infrastructures.
1 The registry has the following tasks:
to provide the services, operations and functionalities of the DNS required in accordance with the rules which apply at an international level, in particular:
administering and updating the databases, including all information relating to the domain in question which is necessary for carrying out its tasks,
managing the primary and secondary name servers while ensuring the distribution of the zone file to these servers,
allocating domain names to IP addresses,
installing, managing and updating a WHOIS database;
providing the registrars with a system for the submission and administration of applications for the registration of domain names (registration system) and specifying the procedures and technical and organisational conditions relating to the registration and management of domain names by the registrars;
establishing the dispute resolution services (Art. 14);
combating cybercrime in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance;
providing a specific and easily accessible website featuring all useful information on the activities of the registry;
2 The registry does not monitor the activities of registrars and holders in a general and continuous manner. Subject to Article 51 letter b, it is not obliged to actively investigate facts or circumstances suggesting that illegal activities have been carried out using domain names.
1 Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
2 Repealed by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, with effect from 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
1 The registry shall enter in a log the activities in connection with the registration and allocation of domain names, changes thereto, transfers thereto, decommissioning and revocations thereof.
2 It shall archive the data entered and the corresponding supporting documentation for ten years starting from the revocation of a domain name.
2 OFCOM may give instructions to the nominee and use or allow the use of the system, the data and the information backed up only in the following circumstances:
2 Subject to Article 11 paragraph 2, the registry may process personal data for a maximum of 10 years.
1 The registry shall establish the required dispute resolution services. It shall regulate the organisation of and the procedure for these services while respecting the following rules and principles:
4 It may publish or arrange to have published the decisions taken by the experts. The parties' names and other personal information may only be published if such details are essential in order to understand the decisions.1
Art. 151Measures on suspicion of abuse: blocking
1 The registry may block a domain name technically and administratively for a maximum of five days if there is reason to believe that the domain name in question is being used to:
access critical data by illegal methods;
distribute or use malicious software; or
support the acts mentioned in letters a or b.
2 It may extend the period in which the domain name is blocked for a maximum of 30 days if:
there is justifiable suspicion that the holder has provided false identification information or is unlawfully using the identity of a third party; and
there is an urgent need to avert imminent prejudice that cannot easily be remedied.
3 A service to combat cybercrime recognised by OFCOM may extend the period in which the domain name is blocked for a maximum of 30 days if the requirements in accordance with paragraph 1 are met.
4 The blocking of a domain name for longer than the maximum periods set out in this article is only permitted if ordered by the Federal Office of Police (fedpol).
Art. 15a1Measures on suspicion of abuse: redirecting of data traffic
The registry shall redirect data traffic sent to or via a domain name for analysis if the following requirements are met:
the domain name concerned is blocked in accordance with Article 15;
the processing of information serves only to identify and notify persons affected by acts under Article 15 paragraph 1 and to analyse the process so that techniques may be developed to recognise, stop, limit or track such acts; recorded information that is not related to these acts may not be used and must be deleted immediately;
the redirecting of data traffic for analysis shall be requested by:
a service under Article 15 paragraph 3 for a maximum of 30 days,
by fedpol.
1 Inserted by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
Art. 15b1Measures on suspicion of abuse: Notification and request for identification
1 The registry shall immediately notify the holder of the domain name concerned electronically about the blocking of a domain name or the redirecting of data traffic.
2 It shall simultaneously ask the holder to indicate, if required, a valid correspondence address in Switzerland and to identify itself within 30 days.
3 Notification to the holder may be given at later time if this is necessary in order to protect overriding public or private interests.
Art. 15c1Measures on suspicion of abuse: decision and revocation
1 fedpol shall issue a decision on the blocking or redirecting of data traffic if the holder, within the 30 days following notification of the measure by registry:
indicates a valid correspondence address in Switzerland if it or its registered office or place of residence is located abroad.
2 If holder fails to identify itself correctly or to indicate a valid correspondence address in Switzerland within this period, the registry shall revoke the allocated domain name.
Art. 15d1Measures on suspicion of abuse: unallocated domain names
The registry may on its own initiative or must on request from a service in terms of Article 15 paragraph 3 take the following measures in respect of unallocated domain names if there is reason to believe that the name could be allocated or used unlawfully or for an unlawful purpose:
it shall allocate the domain name to itself or to a third party that offers to assist in combating cybercrime;
it shall redirect data traffic sent to or via the domain name for analysis.
Art. 15e1Measures on suspicion of abuse: documentation and report
1 The registry shall document the blocking of a domain name and the redirecting of data traffic.
2 It shall submit a report to BAKOM periodically or on request. The registry may also pass on the report to services recognised in terms of Article 15 paragraph 3.
1 The registry may collaborate with any third party which provides assistance in identifying and evaluating threats, abuses and dangers which affect or might affect the management of the domain for which it is responsible, the infrastructure dedicated to this management or the DNS. It shall ensure that the third parties concerned can, on a voluntary basis, exchange with it in a secure manner personal information and data on these threats, abuses or dangers. It may disclose such personal information and personal data to them, if necessary without the knowledge of the persons concerned. This disclosure may take place in the retrieval procedure.1
2 It shall report to the specialist federal services incidents concerning security of information that affect the domain for which it or the DNS is responsible. It may process personal data in connection with these incidents and communicate it to the specialist services, if necessary without the knowledge of the persons concerned. This disclosure may take place in the retrieval procedure or by means of the block transmission of data.2
3 At the request of a Swiss authority intervening within its sphere of competence, the registry shall request the holder of a domain name without a valid Swiss correspondence address to indicate such an address and to disclose its identity within 30 days. The registry shall revoke the domain name if the holder does not comply within the time limit; it shall notify the requesting Swiss authority of the revocation.3
2 Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
3 Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
can provide evidence that it has concluded a registration contract with ICANN when the rules which apply at international level so require for the domain concerned; and if it
2 The registry must conclude a registrar contract when the applicant meets the following conditions:
it has put in place a procedure for verifying the identification data provided by applicants for domain names;
it has the information technology hardware and software necessary to ensure the security of the personal data provided by applicants for domain names and archives the latter in conformity with the provisions of the Federal Act of 19 June 19921 on Data Protection.
it has provided the required guarantees in the event of doubtful solvency or of non-payment; the amount of these guarantees, attracting a rate of interest that applies to savings accounts, shall not exceed the anticipated risk to the registry.
5 The registrar contract may not derogate from the rules prescribed by this Ordinance and its implementing provisions. In addition, the registry shall comply with the principles of non-discrimination and transparency in its contractual relations with registrars.
8 Article 40 paragraphs 1, 3 and 4, and Article 41 apply by analogy to the surveillance of registrars exercised by OFCOM.
1 The registry shall provide the public with the details of the requirements for a registrar contract and the list of registrars that have concluded a contract, with their name and corporate name, their postal address, their telephone number and their email and internet site addresses.
2 It shall supply registrar contracts to third parties which request them. The clauses and annexes containing confidential commercial information are not published.
1 Registrars which have concluded a contract may access the registry's registration system and register and administratively manage domain names in the name of and on behalf of third parties. They may allocate domain names to themselves on their own behalf for their own needs.
4 Registrars must:
collaborate with the registry and provide it with all necessary technical and organisational assistance and support in order to ensure the continuity and the security of the administration of the domain names;
ensure that holders of the domain names for which they provide administrative management are informed of the cessation of any registrar's activities and of the steps to be taken to safeguard their claims.
3 They shall immediately forward or arrange for the forwarding of all the information on the registry to the holders or the applicants. Registrars shall notify their clients of any refusal to allocate domain names three days at the latest after the receiving the information from the registry.1
1 Registrars shall work with the registry in order to identify or to assess threats, abuses and dangers which affect or might affect the management of the domain and of the domain names which are subordinate to it, the management infrastructure or the DNS. They may process personal data in connection with these incidents, if necessary without the knowledge of the persons concerned.
2 They shall report to the specialist federal services incidents concerning security of information which affect their management systems and infrastructures or the DNS. They may process and communicate personal data in connection with these incidents to the services concerned, if necessary without the knowledge of the persons concerned.
1 Repealed by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, with effect from 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
1 When a registrar submits a registration application on behalf of an applicant, the registry shall initiate a domain name allocation process.
2 It shall process the registration application when the latter:
3 OFCOM shall determine the information, elements and documents which may be required by the registry or registrars in order to verify the name, address and legal existence of an applicant or compliance with the conditions of allocation of a domain name, in particular:
if the applicant is an association or a foundation with its headquarters in Switzerland and not entered in the commercial register: a certified copy of the articles of association or the foundation charter;
4 If necessary, it shall regulate the modalities for submitting registration applications. It may demand the use of set forms for registrations and amendments.
1 A domain name shall be allocated when:
the required designation, or the corresponding ACE string, consists of 3 to 63 authorised characters; OFCOM shall determine the authorised characters and may provide for exceptions concerning the minimum number of characters when an overriding public interest justifies this; the names of the Swiss cantons and political communes and abbreviations consisting of two characters which designate the cantons are reserved in accordance with Article 26 paragraph 1 letter b and may be allocated to the public bodies concerned;
a Swiss authority intervening within its sphere of competence notifies it that there is reason to believe that the applicant will use the requested domain name unlawfully or for an unlawful purpose;
an applicant whose domain name has been revoked under Article 15c paragraph 2 or Article 16 paragraph 3 requests to be allocated the same domain name again without indicating a valid correspondence address in Switzerland.
2 Inserted by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
2 Reserved designations or categories of designations may be allocated as domain names only to those persons or categories of persons for whom they are reserved, unless the persons or categories of persons have permitted allocation to third parties; the foregoing does not apply to designations allocated to third parties before the designation is reserved or before this Ordinance comes into force. In the absence of agreement, homonymous canton and political commune designations are allocated to the commune concerned.
3 The registry shall notify the registrar acting on behalf of the applicant concerned of the refusal to allocate a domain name via the registration system in electronic form or if necessary by other means.
4 OFCOM shall make a decision on the refusal to allocate a domain name if, within 40 days of the registry notifying the registrar acting for the applicant concerned of the refusal to allocate, the applicant:1
provides a valid correspondence address in Switzerland if it is registered or domiciled abroad.
1 The holder has the right to use the domain name which has been allocated to it within the prescribed limits and for purposes provided for by this Ordinance and its implementing provisions. The right of use is governed by public law.
2 It shall manage freely the domain names subordinate to the domain name allocated to it, unless this Ordinance or its implementing provisions provide otherwise.
if an amendment to this Ordinance or its implementing provisions so requires;
if experts mandated by a dispute resolution service so request, unless a civil action has been filed within the period prescribed by the procedural rules of the dispute resolution service concerned;
3 A specialist appointed by a dispute resolution service, a court, an arbitration tribunal or a Swiss administrative or prosecution authority may within the scope of its competence issue provisional orders to the registry; the registry may in particular be required to:
suspend or modify a domain names technically by deleting the related name servers in the zone file, replacing them with new name servers or not re-entering them after their deletion;
suspend a domain name administratively by prohibiting its allocation or re-allocation to a third party, its transfer or any change in technical or administrative parameters relating to it;
transfer a domain names to a different registrar;
correct, amend or delete any information or technical or administrative parameters relating to the management of a domain name;
correct, amend, anonymise or delete any information in the WHOIS-data base;
allocate a domain name to itself or to a specific person;
redirect data traffic leading to or via a domain name for analysis.1
4 Die registry may take provisional measures in accordance with paragraph 3:
if this is regarded as necessary in order to protect the integrity and stability of the DNS and there is an urgent need to avert imminent prejudice that cannot easily be remedied;
for a maximum of five working days when there is reason to believe that that the holder is using the domain name unlawfully or for an unlawful purpose and there is an urgent need to avert imminent prejudice that cannot easily be remedied.2
2 It shall designate the delegate or delegates directly or by initiating an open or selective procedure within the meaning of Article 34 paragraph 1 of the Ordinance of 11 December 19951 on Public Procurement.
Art. 33 Form of delegation
The delegate requires OFCOM's consent in order to delegate to third parties activities or services constituting an essential element of the function.
1 The delegate nay not at the same time exercise the function of registrar for the domain which it manages.
2 If the delegate is linked legally or economically to an entity which exercises a registrar function for the domain, an independent execution of the tasks must be guaranteed in the delegation contract by suitable measures such as the prescription of specific forms of public communication or the obligation to guarantee the autonomy of the personnel employed.
the offer price may be adapted during the term of delegation if the delegated tasks change; the difference in price is calculated based on the changes in costs arising from the change in tasks; the delegate submits an offer to OFCOM and provides proof of the change in costs; in order to examine the offer, OFCOM may use comparison values and may ask to be provided with any useful documents.
3 When the delegation of tasks takes place directly, the price covers the relevant costs of the registry related to the catalogue of services agreed with OFCOM and additionally makes it possible to make an appropriate profit.
1 OFCOM shall ensure that delegates comply with this Ordinance and its implementing provisions, and with their delegation contract.
2 Normally it verifies once every two years the manner in which delegates fulfil the delegated function or tasks. The delegates must grant access to their premises and their installations and must provide all the information required.
1 If a delegate does not fulfil its obligations, OFCOM may:
1 OFCOM may modify by administrative decision certain provisions of the delegation contract before the expiry of its period of validity if the de facto or de jure conditions have changed and if modification is necessary to preserve overriding public interests.
2 The delegate shall receive appropriate compensation if modification of the delegation contract causes it a financial loss relating to the delegated function or tasks. This compensation does not include the compensation for loss of profits.
2 It may terminate the delegation contract by appropriately compensating the delegate if the de facto or de jure conditions have changed and if the termination is necessary to preserve overriding public interests. The compensation does not include compensation for loss of profits. It takes into account the amount received by the delegate under paragraph 5 letter b for the assistance provided.
5 The delegate is obliged to collaborate and to provide the new registry with all the technical and organisational assistance necessary to ensure the continuity and security of the management of the domain concerned and of the domain names subordinate to it. It is entitled to compensation based on the utility value of its assistance. The compensation is, on request, fixed by OFCOM. The delegate must in particular make available:
free of charge: the activities log and the entirety of the conserved data or information which relates to the domain concerned and to the holders of the allocated domain names or the management activities associated with these domain names and their characteristics, in particular their technical characteristics;
in return for compensation for the asset value: the technical and data-processing infrastructure essential for the continuation of the function or of the delegated tasks.
Chapter 4 The «.ch» Domain
The provisions of this Chapter govern the management of the «ch.» top-level domain and the management and allocation of second-level domain names which are subordinate to it.
1 The «.ch» domain has the following characteristics:
the domain names which are subordinate to it may be allocated to or used by any physical and moral person;
the name and postal address of the holder of the domain name concerned;
in the case of an activated domain name: the data relating to the allocated name server;
d. and e.3
the name and postal address of the person with technical responsibility;
the full name of the registrar acting on behalf of the holder of the domain name concerned.
2 The registry shall take suitable measures, in particular technical measures, to prevent abuse of the data made available to the public, in particular its use for the purpose of advertising or sales promotion.
3 Repealed by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, with effect from 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
4 Amended by No I of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225).
Art. 48 Transposed «.ch» domains
1 «.ch» country domains that are transposed into another alphabet or graphic system are managed by their own specific registry. OFCOM may entrust this management to the registry of the «.ch» domain.
2 Otherwise, the provisions of this Ordinance which govern the «.ch» domain apply by analogy to the management of a transposed «.ch» domain.
Chapter 5 The «.swiss» Domain
The provisions of this Chapter govern the management of the «.swiss» top-level domain and the management and allocation of second-level domain names which are subordinate to it.
The «.swiss» domain has the following characteristics:
to monitor by random samples that the allocated domain names comply with the conditions of allocation and that their use is not manifestly illegal or contrary to public order;
to take commercial communication or sponsorship measures in order to promote the «.swiss» domain.
1 The following data must appear in the WHOIS database:1
the name, address and contact data of the registrar acting on behalf of the holder of the domain name concerned.
the envisaged use complies with Swiss law; if the domain name is used to offer or advertise products or services, a headquarters and an actual administrative site or domicile in Switzerland are essential;
to which it has a right or in which it has a legitimate interest in the public mind, or
Art. 551Eligibility and staggered opening
The following are eligible to allocate a domain name:
demonstrate the manner in which it will ensure that the requirements provided for under Title 2 of the Trademark Protection Act of 28 August 19921 are complied with by all the products offered using a domain name the designation of which refers to a product, to its characteristics or to a category of products;
9 The registry shall disclose naming mandates to third parties which request them; it may also make them available by a consultation procedure or publish them in another manner. The clauses and annexes containing confidential commercial information may not be communicated.
1 The registry shall examine any application for registration of a domain name and publishes them, unless the application manifestly does not meet the general and particular conditions for allocation. Other applicants may submit a registration application for this same domain name within the 20 days following publication.
if it appears that a generic designation allocated as a domain name should have been allocated under a naming mandate; the beneficiary of the naming mandate shall pay the former holder compensation which includes all the costs of registration and management of the revoked domain name;
if there is reason to believe that the holder has applied for the registration for the sole purpose of harming the reputation of the holder of a legitimate interest in this name or a connected name, or that of a product or service associated with this name in the mind of the public;
if there is reason to believe that the holder has applied for the allocation for the purpose of profiting from the reputation of the holder of a legitimate interest in this name or in a name or product associated with this name in the mind of the public;
they shall take measures to prevent abuse of the data made available to the public.
4 If a public body which has acquired a generic domain has not laid down the necessary rules, it shall manage this domain in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance which govern the «.ch» domain.
1 OFCOM shall issue the necessary technical and administrative regulations.
2 It is entitled to conclude international agreements relating to technical or administrative issues that fall within the scope of this Ordinance.
Registrar means an entity entitled to undertake with the registry the technical and administrative operations permitting registration, on behalf of applicants, of the desired domain names and to ensure the administrative follow-up;
Designation with a generic character means a designation which refers to or generally describes a category or a class of goods, services, people, groups, organisations, products, techniques, sectors or activities;
1 Revised by No II of the O of 15 Sept. 2017, in force since 1 Nov. 2017 (AS 2017 5225)..