Ordinance on Internet Domains (OID) (OID)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 Aim
1 The aim of this Ordinance is to ensure that private individuals, businesses and public bodies in Switzerland are offered a sufficient, reasonably priced, high quality range of internet domain names that fulfils their requirements. 2 It must in particular: a. ensure the efficient, transparent and judicious use of the top-level domains that Switzerland is responsible for managing; b. preserve the security and availability of the infrastructure and the services necessary for the operation of the domain name system (DNS); c. ensure that Swiss law and the interests of Switzerland are respected during the management and use of the top-level domains that have an effect in Switzerland.
Art. 2 Scope
1 This Ordinance governs: a. the country code Top-Level Domain [ccTLD]) “.ch” and its transpositions in other alphabets or graphic systems; b. the generic Top-Level Domain [gTLD]) “.swiss”; c. the generic Top-Level Domains the management of which has been entrusted to Swiss public bodies other than the Confederation. 2 It applies to the situations which have an effect on these domains, even if they occur abroad.
Art. 3 Definitions
The terms and abbreviations used in this Ordinance are explained in the Annex.
Art. 4 General tasks
1 Unless this Ordinance provides otherwise, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) exercises all the powers, functions or tasks which are related to the top-level domains managed by the Confederation. 2 It ensures that Switzerland’s sovereignty and of the interests are safeguarded in the DNS and in the management and use of top-level domains and of domain names subordinate to them. 3 It may take any measures in order to contribute to the security and availability of the DNS.
Art. 5 International relations
1 OFCOM safeguards the interests of Switzerland in the international forums and organisations which deal with questions associated with domain names or other internet addressing resources. 2 It may invite delegates (Art. 32 para. 1) and other persons entrusted with all or some of the functions or tasks which are associated with a top-level domain managed by the Confederation or other Swiss public bodies to take part in the work of the international forums and organisations, where they shall safeguard the interests of Switzerland. It may give them instructions.
Art. 6 Provision of information by OFCOM
OFCOM shall inform interested parties about the DNS and of the evolution of the international regulations and of the global domain name market.