Domain Names

1. General Information

1.1 Domain Name Supply

We, provide an extensive range of Top-Level Domain Names (TLDs). Due to the dynamic nature of domain name rules and the vast number of TLDs, it is not feasible for us to detail each TLD's specific rules.

1.2 Usage and Revocation

Before purchasing a domain name, customers are strongly advised to verify that the domain name will be used for its intended purpose and within the intended location. Misuse of domain names may lead to revocation at any time.

1.3 Fundamental Rules

All domain names are subject to basic rules. These are shown in section 2.

2. Rules and Restrictions

2.1 Characters Permitted

Domain names can only include letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens (-). Other characters are not permitted.
Hyphens cannot be at the start or end of a domain name.
Domain names cannot be registered if they are already in use.
Domain names are not case-sensitive (e.g., 'Example.com' is equivalent to 'example.com').
Customers are advised against registering domain names that may infringe upon another company's trademark, unless legal rights to do so are established.

2.2 Length and Format

Minimum Length: Three characters plus the extension for all domain names.
Maximum Length: 'uk', 'com', 'org', 'net' domains can have up to 64 characters. All other domain extensions are limited to 63 characters, excluding the extension.

3. Domain Specific Restrictions

3.1 TLD Variations

Due to the diverse range of registries, an exhaustive list of all TLDs and their restrictions is not provided here. Customers should consult the relevant registry or a domain registration service provider for specific TLD information. Examples of common TLDs and their general restrictions are provided below for reference.

Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)

.com - Commercial businesses; no restrictions.
.org - Organizations (traditionally non-profit); no restrictions.
.net - Network infrastructures; no restrictions.
.info - Informational sites; no restrictions.
.biz - Businesses; no restrictions.

Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)

.us (United States) - Generally no restrictions, but some specific subdomains have limitations.
.uk (United Kingdom) - Various second-level domains under .uk have different restrictions (e.g., .co.uk for commercial entities, .ac.uk for academic institutions).
.de (Germany) - Must have a local contact in Germany.
.ca (Canada) - Must meet Canadian presence requirements.
.au (Australia) - Must have a connection to Australia and meet specific criteria for various second-level domains (e.g., .com.au for commercial entities).

New gTLDs

.app - Intended for apps, requires HTTPS for secure connection.
.blog - Blogs; no restrictions but intended for blogging.
.health - Health industry; may have specific requirements to ensure relevance.
.realty - Real estate industry; may have restrictions to ensure industry relevance.
.tech - Technology; no restrictions but intended for technology-related entities.

Restricted Domains

Some domains have specific restrictions based on geographical location, industry sector, or other criteria:

.bank - Financial institutions, subject to verification and security measures.
.law and .lawyer - Legal professionals, with verification required.
.pharmacy - Legitimate pharmacies, subject to verification.

4. Additional Terms

4.1 Case Sensitivity

Domain names are not case-sensitive. Variations in letter casing are considered the same domain (e.g., 'AAA.com', 'aaa.com', and 'AaA.com').

4.2 Validation Checks

We endeavour to prevent the registration of domain names that do not comply with the aforementioned rules through our registration systems. However, should our checks not catch a non-compliant domain name, we advise clients to seek guidance to ensure the chosen domain name's validity.

4.3 Domain Registration Failure

We are not responsible if an invalid domain name is attempted to be registered and is accepted by our systems. Acceptance by our system does not equate to acceptance of domain registration by the relevant registry. All domain registrations remain subject to Section 6 of these Terms, relating to Premium and Variable-Price Domains.

4.4 Spelling or Typographic Errors in Domain Registration

In the event that a domain name is registered with a spelling or typographic error, it is the registrant's responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the domain name before finalizing the registration. Our system's acceptance of a domain registration request does not include verification of spelling or typographical correctness. Once a domain name is registered, it is deemed final and no refunds or cancellations will be offered for misspelled domain names. Registrants are encouraged to double-check their domain name for accuracy prior to submission to avoid any such errors.

4.5 Registry Verification and Proof of Eligibility

Certain Top-Level Domains (TLDs) require the registrant to meet specific eligibility, geographical, or professional criteria (for example, a local presence requirement or proof of industry affiliation). If a registry requests documentation to verify eligibility, it is the customer’s responsibility to provide complete and accurate proof within the timeframe required by the registry. Failure to do so may result in the refusal, suspension, or revocation of the domain registration. We accept no liability for any loss or delay arising from a customer’s failure to meet or evidence such criteria. If the registry refuses registration on these grounds, the order will be cancelled and a full refund will be issued in accordance with Section 6.6 of these Terms.

5. Generic Top-Level Domain Registrations

5.1 Registrar Partnerships

We register our domain names through various registrars, including but not limited to NETIM. By registering a domain, customers enter into a contract with NETIM.

5.2 Non-Roman Alphabet Domains

We may accept applications to register and renew certain gTLD names in non-Roman alphabet languages (e.g., Japanese, Chinese, Korean), at our discretion.

5.3 Registrar Terms

For terms and conditions specific to NETIM, customers are directed to their legal agreements at https://www.netim.com/en/general-terms

6. DNS Management & Nameservers

6.1 Overview

Hipposerve provides DNS and nameserver management as part of its hosting and domain registration services. To ensure service reliability, security, and compliance, certain automated systems may temporarily update or synchronise DNS or nameserver settings where required for the proper operation of a service (for example, during hosting account setup, migration, domain integration, or in response to a detected configuration error).

6.2 Legitimate Reasons for DNS Changes

Hipposerve will never intentionally change nameserver or DNS records without a legitimate technical or administrative reason directly related to maintaining or delivering the services purchased.

6.3 Notification and Confirmation

Where possible, Hipposerve will:

Provide prior notice of any change to DNS or nameserver settings by automated or manual systems, and
Send confirmation once any update has been completed.

6.4 Customer Responsibility

Customers remain responsible for verifying and maintaining their own DNS configuration, especially where external systems or third-party DNS providers are in use.

6.5 Liability

Hipposerve accepts no liability for loss or interruption of service arising from:

DNS misconfiguration caused by customer actions or third-party systems, or
Automated synchronisation tasks necessary for service continuity, security, or compliance.

6.6 Security Emergencies

In the event of a security incident or credible threat, Hipposerve reserves the right to take immediate and automated protective action, including the modification of DNS or nameserver records, suspension of services, or rerouting of traffic, without prior notice. Such measures are taken solely to protect the integrity and security of our network, infrastructure, and customers, and will be communicated to affected customers as soon as reasonably possible.

6.7 Error Reporting

If a customer believes an automated DNS change has been made in error, they should contact Hipposerve Support immediately. All such reports are reviewed and, where applicable, changes can be reverted or excluded from future automation.

6.8 IPv6 Addressing & External DNS

Where a customer uses Hipposerve nameservers, IPv6 (AAAA) records may be managed automatically by Hipposerve and updated as required during server maintenance, upgrades, or migrations. In such cases, Hipposerve will take reasonable steps to ensure continuity of service. Where a customer chooses to use third-party nameservers or external DNS providers, the customer acknowledges that:

IPv6 addressing is optional and not required for the normal operation of hosted services,
IPv6 addresses may change as part of routine maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, or service migrations, and
The customer is solely responsible for adding, updating, or removing any IPv6 (AAAA) records held with external DNS providers.

Customers who are unable or unwilling to manage IPv6 records with third-party DNS providers are advised to use IPv4 records only. Hipposerve accepts no liability for service disruption arising from outdated, incorrect, or unmanaged IPv6 records held outside of Hipposerve-managed DNS.

7. Premium and Variable-Price Domains

7.1 Definition

Certain domain names are designated by the relevant registry as Premium, Reserved, or High-Value domains. Such names are subject to higher or variable registration and renewal fees determined solely by the registry, not by Hipposerve Digital Services Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”). <

7.2 Non-Binding Pricing Display

Prices shown on our website and in the order system represent the standard registry fees for each TLD. Where a registry subsequently identifies a requested domain as Premium or otherwise subject to different pricing, any price displayed or invoiced through our system is indicative only and does not constitute a binding offer to sell.

7.3 Offer and Acceptance

A customer’s submission of an order for a domain name constitutes an offer to purchase. No contract is formed until: • the domain has been successfully registered with the relevant registry, and • we have issued a confirmation of successful registration. An automatically generated invoice, payment receipt, or order confirmation email does not represent acceptance of the offer.

7.4 Registry Price Changes and Currency Fluctuations

If a registry or supplier alters its pricing after the time of order but before successful registration, or if currency fluctuations materially affect cost, we reserve the right to adjust the final price accordingly.

7.5 Procedure Where Pricing Differs

If a domain is flagged as Premium, Reserved, or otherwise priced above the amount shown at checkout: 1. We will notify you promptly of the correct registry pricing. 2. You may then choose one of the following options: a. Proceed with the registration at the revised registry price; b. Receive a full refund to your original payment method; or c. Receive a credit for the full amount to your Hipposerve account. If you do not confirm acceptance of the revised price within five (5) business days, the order will be cancelled automatically and any payment fully refunded.

7.6 Impossibility of Registration

f a registry or supplier refuses or is unable to complete a domain registration for any reason—including but not limited to: • premium or reserved classification, • restricted or geographically limited TLD eligibility requirements, • failure by the customer to provide required documentation or proof of entitlement, • industry-specific validation failure (e.g. .bank, .law, .pharmacy), • technical limitations, system errors, or registry policy changes— we shall cancel the order and issue a full refund of any payment received. Such cancellation constitutes full and final settlement of our obligations for that domain, and we shall bear no further responsibility or liability for the inability to register or maintain it.

7.7 Limitation of Liability

We shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, cost, or consequential damage arising from: • registry errors or omissions; • unavailability of a domain name; or • automated pricing or lookup inaccuracies. Our liability in such cases is strictly limited to refunding any payment received for the unfulfilled order.

7.8 Good-Faith Communication

We reserve the right to terminate communication and decline further correspondence in cases of abusive, harassing, or vexatious behaviour.

8. Intellectual Property, Misuse & Legal Complaints

8.1 Customer Responsibility & Due Diligence

By registering, renewing, transferring, or using any domain name, the Customer warrants that they have carried out suitable checks to ensure that the domain does not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights, trademarks, or brand identities, and is not misleading, deceptive, or unlawful. Hipposerve does not perform trademark or legal checks on domain registrations and bears no responsibility for the Customer’s chosen domain name.

8.2 No Endorsement of Legitimacy

The successful registration of a domain name does not constitute:

Verification of legal entitlement or intellectual property ownership,
Endorsement by Hipposerve of the Customer’s intended use, or
A guarantee that the domain name does not conflict with existing rights.

All responsibility for legal and compliant use remains solely with the Customer.

8.3 Immediate Action on Receipt of a Complaint

If Hipposerve receives any complaint, takedown request, legal claim, or notification concerning a Customer’s domain name (including trademark complaints, DRS/UDRP actions, passing-off allegations, or misuse reports), Hipposerve may, at its sole discretion and without prior notice:

Suspend or remove DNS records,
Disable hosting, redirects, or related services,
Lock the domain from modification,
Cancel the domain in accordance with registry rules, and/or
Notify the relevant registry, complainant, or governing body.

These actions may be taken immediately to ensure legal compliance and mitigate risk.

8.4 No Refunds for Suspended or Cancelled Domains

If a domain is suspended, locked, or cancelled as a result of a legal complaint or violation of this Agreement, the Customer understands that:

No refund will be issued for registration, renewal, or transfer fees,
No credit or compensation will be provided, and
The remaining registration period does not affect this limitation.

8.5 Indemnity

The Customer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Hipposerve, its employees, and its suppliers against all claims, legal fees, liabilities, and damages arising from:

The registration or use of a domain name,
Trademark infringement or passing-off,
Fraudulent, deceptive, or unlawful activity, or
Any action taken by Hipposerve under this clause.

This indemnity remains valid even after termination of services.

8.6 Cooperation with Registries & Authorities

Hipposerve may share relevant Customer information with registries, dispute-resolution bodies, solicitors acting on behalf of rights-holders, or law-enforcement agencies where reasonably required or legally obligated. Such cooperation may occur without prior notice to the Customer.

8.7 Misleading or Abusive Registrations

Domain names registered with the intention of misleading users, impersonating other businesses, exploiting brand goodwill, or mimicking well-known trademarks (for example, typographical variations such as “mucdolands.com”) are considered abusive. Hipposerve may suspend or cancel such domains immediately and without liability.

8.8 Final Determination

Any action taken by Hipposerve under this clause shall be final. Hipposerve accepts no liability for loss of earnings, business interruption, reputational harm, or consequential damages resulting from the suspension, alteration, or cancellation of a domain following a legal or regulatory complaint.

9. Domain Renewal Pricing & Price Fluctuations

9.1 Variable Wholesale Pricing

Domain name pricing is set by the relevant registry and/or our upstream suppliers and may change at any time. As a result, the price to register, renew, transfer, or restore a domain may increase or decrease without notice, depending on wholesale pricing, registry policy, supplier costs, currency fluctuations, and market conditions.

9.2 No Fixed Renewal Price Guarantee

Unless expressly agreed in writing by Hipposerve, domain registrations do not include any fixed-price renewal guarantee. The Customer acknowledges that the price paid for the initial registration period (or any previous renewal period) does not create a contractual right to renew at the same price in the future.

9.3 Renewal Pricing Applies at the Time of Renewal

The renewal price payable for a domain will be the price applicable at the time the renewal is due, for the selected renewal term, as shown in the Customer’s Hipposerve client area and/or on the renewal invoice issued for that domain. Renewal prices may therefore be higher or lower than those previously paid.

9.4 Advance Renewal Notification

Where a domain is set to renew manually or automatically, Hipposerve will normally issue a renewal notice and/or renewal invoice no less than twenty-eight (28) days before the relevant renewal due date. This notice will reflect the renewal pricing applicable at the time the invoice is generated. Customers remain responsible for reviewing renewal notices and ensuring their contact and billing details are up to date.

9.5 Customer Choice & Non-Compulsory Renewal

Renewal of a domain is not compulsory. If the Customer does not wish to renew at the quoted renewal price, they may allow the domain to expire, or transfer the domain to another provider (subject to registry rules, transfer eligibility, and any applicable fees). Hipposerve is not responsible for loss of a domain name arising from a Customer’s decision not to renew.

9.6 Multi-Year Registrations and Renewals

Where the Customer registers or renews a domain for a multi-year term, the total price charged covers that term only. Any subsequent renewal after the purchased term ends will be charged at the renewal price applicable at that future time. Multi-year registration or renewal is the Customer’s option and may reduce exposure to future price increases during the purchased term.

9.7 Pricing Updates in Client Area

Hipposerve may update renewal pricing displayed in the Customer’s client area to reflect current wholesale costs and the applicable renewal price for that domain and term. Displayed prices are provided for transparency and do not constitute a binding offer until a renewal invoice is issued or a renewal order is otherwise confirmed in accordance with these Terms and the applicable registry rules.

9.8 Price Changes After Invoice Generation

In the event that wholesale renewal pricing changes after a renewal invoice has been generated but before the renewal is completed, Hipposerve reserves the right to adjust the renewal price to reflect the current wholesale cost, provided the Customer is notified and given the option to proceed or cancel the renewal. Where an automatic renewal is enabled, Hipposerve may, where reasonably practicable, provide notice of material changes prior to processing; however, timing constraints imposed by registry systems may limit the ability to do so.

Additional Charges

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Terms and Conditions