In today's digital age, domain name owners can establish an online presence for their brand or personal image. However, in Brazil, the process of obtaining a domain name is relatively difficult. In particular, all users who wish to register are asked to provide a local contact person. This regulation has confused and dissatisfied many foreign companies and individuals. Why on earth does domain registration in Brazil require a local contact? What secrets are hidden behind it?
According to the Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br), all unregistered domain names must have a contact person in Brazil to assist with the registration process.
Brazil's domain system has been in operation since 1989, initially manually managed by Registro.br and affiliated with the Scientific Research Foundation of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP). At that time, only researchers and affiliated institutions could register domain names. Over time, Brazil has become one of the most representative domains among Portuguese-speaking countries.
In 1995, the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee was established to coordinate the registration and allocation of domain names. Since then, with the commercialization of the Internet, the demand for domain names has increased sharply, resulting in a rapid growth of large number of registrations.
By 2005, the automated process for Brazilian domain name registration began to run, and this process became more mature after 2005.
Providing a local contact is a must for any entity or individual wishing to register a .br domain. The fundamental purpose of this provision is to ensure that domain owners can be contacted in a timely manner when needed. Many of Brazil's regulations and laws are intended to enhance network security and prevent domain abuse by criminals.
For example, when the name of a manufacturer or business does not match their domain name, authorities in Brazil need to quickly investigate and contact the appropriate parties. Therefore, this local contact person is legally considered the responsible contact person and can respond to emergencies in a timely manner.
The Brazilian government believes that the presence of local contacts can further enhance trust in domain registrations and improve the security of e-commerce.
While the need for local contacts is a convenience for many domestic businesses, it becomes a challenge for foreign companies and individuals. They must find a suitable local partner to fulfill the registration requirements. This has resulted in many companies being slow in their market expansion.
However, it also represents an opportunity for local businesses. They can take advantage of opportunities to cooperate with foreign-funded enterprises to further expand their business scope. This business need has led to the emergence of professional intermediaries and legal advisors who provide services to assist these foreign companies in successfully registering their domains.
The emergence of professional intermediaries and legal consultants has undoubtedly accelerated the interaction and cooperation between the businesses of the two countries.
In short, the local contact person requirement for Brazilian domain name registration implies considerations of ensuring network security and legal compliance. The role of the local liaison is crucial, both from a business and legal perspective. As Brazil grows in the global internet ecosystem, do you think this regulation will change in the future, or will it continue to play an important role? ”