EU domain 'to spur competitiveness'

A new pan-European internet domain name available from today will help businesses enhance their competitiveness, the European Commission has announced.

The ".eu" top-level domain will enable businesses based in the UK and elsewhere throughout the European Union (EU) to gain a Europe-wide presence.

The appellation to web sites and email addresses is one of the EU's key objectives under its eEurope 2002 action plan, aimed at promoting the use of the internet in a push to boost Europe's level of online trading.

The Commission said at today's roll-out that the new domain will be an instrument companies can use to achieve greater market position, while at the same time making the internet safer for business.

"I expect Europe's top-level domain .eu to become similarly important as .com," said Viviane Reding, information society and media commissioner.

"For businesses, .eu will extend their marketing reach, while protecting them under EU law against cybersquatters. Europe's new top level domain therefore offers a unique opportunity for modern online marketing across borders."

European law and the jurisdiction of European courts will apply to all newly registered .eu domains.

In addition to businesses, the tag is available to any organisation registered in or citizen resident of the EU.