New rules .cn registrations

Yesterday the .cn-registry, rather unexpectedly, announced new rules for the registration of .cn domain names. Firstly, from now on, only companies will be able to register a new .cn domain name. This is no longer possible for individuals. Secondly, for each new .cn-registration from now on paperwork will need to be provided. This includes a signed registration contract and proof of identity. For a company that proof of identity is an extract from the chamber of commerce.
The .cn-registry launched these new rules contrary to the advise from the registrar community. The .cn-registry requires the registrars to carry out a preliminary check of the paperwork before forwarding it to the registry. This will clearly complicate the registration process of a .cn domain name and fully rule out automatic processing of such registration.  Some .cn registrars would even have already decided to no longer offer .cn-registrations because of these new rules.

The new rules only apply to new registrations (made after December 14). There currently are no (known) plans of such a check for existing registrations.

The registry wants to prevent usage of false information when registering .cn domain names with these rules. Via the paperwork the accuracy of the given information is strictly monitored.

Until recently, the logical trend was for registries to stop asking for paperwork with domain name registrations. For example, the .nl-registry stopped demanding filled out paper work with registrations and so did the .it-registry very recently. This reverse action, starting to ask for paper work where this used not to be required, however seems to be the new trend for country code extensions. Less than one month ago, the .ru-registry announced very similar rules. With .ru-names, they will even also require paper work to be submitted for existing registrations.

Read the official announcement on the website of the .cn-registry.