Two days after the Estonian Registry operator, Eesti Internet, has gone live with their new registry system, they added another 1,329 new domains, effectively doubling the amount of registrations processed over the course of the preceeding two months. The new model of the registry for .EE domains is now based on selling domains through  accredited registrars instead of direct sales through the registry. The changes went along with a broadening of conditions, allowing more people to register .EE domains:

(from the site:)

• individuals are now able to register .ee domain names. For instance, they can use an e-mail address in the form firstname@lastname.ee;
• foreign nationals can now register .ee domain names. For instance, they can set up an Estonian-language e-service environment;
• one person can register more than one .ee domain name. For instance, if a company has several trademarks and wants to represent them all on the Internet under the .ee domain, they now can;
• registration of domain names will start taking place at two levels, meaning that the Estonian Internet Foundation has delegated the provision of service to registrants to registrars. The list of registrars is posted on the Estonian Internet Foundation website; and
• a regulatory fee has been established for domain names. The amount of the fee for registrants will be determined by registrars on the open market based on competition.

The transition to the new domain rules also applies to all .ee domains registered according to the old rules. These will be subject to a six-month transition period during which the domain registrants must choose a registrar and renew their domain registration with the registrar.

In parallel to the transition to the liberalised domain system, an independent body will be established within the Estonian Internet Foundation in order to resolve disputes related to domain names – the Domain Disputes Committee. The objective of the committee is to provide an expedited procedure as an alternative to judicial procedure so as to resolve any cases of misuse of domains where registration of a domain violates the rights of third parties, such as in the case of trademark infringement.

[via DomainPulse]