.us .US question

[wasistdas]

Is there any legal way for foreigners to register .US domains?

 

[spikedo]

Here's a link to the .us registration terms and conditions. I'm sure your answer is in there.

http://www.nic.us/policies/docs/neustar_registrar_terms.pdf

 

[Kate]

In a nutshell yes if you are a resident alien or have bona fide US presence (owning a local company would do)

 

[wasistdas]

And no registrar offers a sort of address?

 

[cera]

Are there no domain name registration proxy services in the US that can register for us foreigners?

 

[988]

anybody can register a .us domain from whoever in the world. just as long you have bona fide presence in the us, as sdsinc explained.. if you have a webhosting company and the server is in the us.. i think that would qualify you. correct me if im wrong

 

[4u-domains]

Has anybody ever heard of anyone being challenged on this?

Whether it would hold up in a challenge or not I dont know but if you prove you conduct a lot of business with the USA (very likely in this business), have hosting based there (again most likely) or pick up a NY office address ($200 a year) then you might well be okay.

Its such a grey area.

The only worry should be 'when' Neustar (The .US registry) realizes that the .us domains are worth tons of money then they might be motivated to challenge every non-USA registered .us.
That would cause some mighty panic on the streets!

 

[holeinone]

I think namecheap does it.
I dont know the most recent info though. I was keen on .us a year ago but switched over to my beloved .in.

 

[AdoptableDomains]

If you're not a citizen or resident, you'd have to creat a taxable entity such as a corporation, LLC, partnership, or even just get a tax ID number for a proprietorship. the cost to do so can be less than $100. Just being on a US server does not create nexus. Here is the rule that would apply:

Category 3 Nexus Certification
Prospective Registrants will certify compliance with Category 3 Nexus based upon
substantial lawful contacts with, or lawful activities in, the United States.
Factors that should be considered in determining whether an entity or organization has a
bona fide presence in the United States shall include, without limitation, whether such
prospective usTLD domain name Registrant:
·Regularly performs lawful activities within the United States related to the purposes for
which the entity or organization is constituted (e.g., selling goods or providing
services to customers, conducting regular training activities, attending conferences),
provided such activities are not conducted solely or primarily to permit it to register
for a usTLD domain name and are lawful under the laws and regulations of the
United States and satisfy policies for the usTLD, including policies approved and/or
mandated by the DoC;
·Maintains an office or other facility in the United States for a lawful business,
noncommercial, educational or governmental purpose, and not solely or primarily to
permit it to register for a usTLD domain name.