Brazil has more than 4 million registered domains with the “.br” termination, but not all of them are active websites. Some are used for redirection or represent projects that are still in development.
Where do these domains end up as new ones enter the market and others disappear due to lack of renewal, cancellation requests, or registration issues?
In the case of “.br” domains, they do not expire but enter a temporary state where they can be revived and have a fresh start, known as the “domain release process in the Registry.br”. Do we comprehend its functioning?
How is the process of releasing works?
Registration.br is the organization in charge of managing and overseeing all “.br” domain registrations. The entity conducts domain release processes monthly, each lasting one week, with the upcoming process dates available for reference on the Registry’s webpage.
View the lists of domains available in the Registry for Brazil.
The same page in the Registry contains details about the current and upcoming processes. Three lists are published two days before the release process begins, each listing the available domains with specific names.
- Domains that are being released.
- Areas that qualify for a competitive procedure.
- Domains taking part in a competitive procedure.
The initial list includes all domains being prepared for release. The second consists of domains eligible for a competitive bidding process if multiple individuals are interested. The third list features domains currently involved in ongoing competitive processes (further information on this process will be provided later).
Each list is arranged alphabetically and contains numerous domains, with a total of 114,592 domains in the January release. If there were a virtual graveyard, it would be quite crowded, wouldn’t it?
The domains are included in these lists for specific purposes.
- The holder did not choose to renew them.
- The holder canceled them.
- The Registry canceled them due to inconsistencies in the holder’s registration.
Locate your domain in the list.
It’s a good time to search for your domain. Check if the domain you previously tried to register is available by using the search function with the relevant keywords. You can easily find the words you’re looking for in a domain by pressing Ctrl+F (Windows) or Command+F (Mac). Avoid browsing through all names on the list unless you’re seeking inspiration. See the image below for how the list appears on the screen and the search field that pops up.
After selecting the preferred domain name, the next step is to move on to the application process.
Follow the procedure for applying.
You have previously registered a domain on the br Registry website. The process is similar – enter the desired address in the domain search field. If you search outside the release period, you’ll be prompted to wait. An example is shown with the first domain on the list.
When the search is conducted during the release period, the availability message will be displayed.
Click on “register” next and enter your CPF or CNPJ.
You must log in first. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to make one by completing the required fields.
Shortly after, a screen will pop up displaying the terms of service.
Click on “register” after agreeing to the terms and wait for the confirmation email from the application. Check the message displayed in the registration system.
Launching multiple applications is limited to a range of 3 to 200, depending on the applicant’s profile, determined by the number of records and payment history. Further details can be found on the Registry website.
Examine the outcome of the procedure.
You will receive an email confirming the success of your application during the registration process. If no one else applies, the domain will be yours. If you don’t receive the confirmation email by the end of the process, don’t worry as it may come shortly after. Once confirmed, make the payment to secure your domain for R $ 40 per year if there’s no competition.
The functioning of the competitive process
Not everything is positive for an internet user. If there is competition for a domain, a competitive process will begin among interested parties.
When someone applies for a domain name that is already taken, they will see the message already in the search results.
Candidates will all receive an email containing the following message.
At the end of the email, you probably noticed the details regarding the payment of a bill. The competitive process resembles an auction, where the highest bidder wins the domain.
It’s time to deliver the presentation!
The price of a domain name can exceed 500,000 reais, varying based on the domain’s category. Check out the potential highest and lowest bidding amounts.
The domain I registered requires a minimum bid of R$ 50. The next step is to log in to the Registry site and access the user panel to proceed.
The outcome of the competitive procedure ultimately.
The system does not send notifications for bids made by others, so do not rely on emails. Keep track of the process by logging into your user profile on the Registration.br website. Competitors are advised to log in 15 minutes before the end of the process to monitor the progress.
Bids must be submitted before the domain release time, which is typically a one-week period for application. The competitive process deadline is generally 24 hours after the final release process deadline, but may be extended further, especially if bidding activity occurs close to the deadline.
If your bid wins, you will get an email with payment details. You must follow through on your bid by paying the bill to avoid penalties and exclusion from future domain release processes.
The competitive process may not happen initially for all domains due to recent rule changes. Previously, domains involved in over 6 release processes were not accessible. However, starting from 10/11/2017, these domains are gradually becoming eligible for the competitive process and are listed on the second list, which is updated for each process.
In conclusion
Participating in a domain release process in the Registry.br may seem complicated at first, but if you find it unsuitable, remember that you can also register domains through various hosting companies that offer both local and international domain extensions.
It is beneficial to read an article comparing domain registration in the Registry.br and hosting companies to determine the most suitable option for your needs.
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments, and we will make sure to find the answers for you.
Published on 11/01/2018 and last updated on 26/08/2020.
Registration tags are required.