Overview
The .CO Registry places domain names into three restricted categories beyond simply 'registered'. Understanding each category helps Registrars explain why a particular domain cannot be registered.
Reserved Names
Reserved domains are held back by the Registry for specific purposes: technical infrastructure, future programs, or Registry operations. These include names like 'nic.co', 'whois.co', and other system-level names. Reserved names cannot be registered through any standard process.
Banned Names
Banned names are prohibited under Registry policy. This category typically includes offensive terms, names that violate Colombian law, names that could facilitate abuse, and names explicitly prohibited by ICANN policies. Banned names cannot be registered by any party.
Blocked Names
Blocked names may be restricted due to specific circumstances such as court orders, trademark protection requests, or Registry-imposed blocks for policy compliance. While blocked domains appear 'unavailable', the block may be temporary or conditionally releasable.
What To Do If a Customer Wants a Restricted Name
If a customer wants a reserved or banned name, explain that it is not available through standard registration processes. For blocked names, they may need to pursue a formal dispute resolution process or contact the Registry directly at support@registry.co for guidance.
Checking Restriction Status
The EPP domain:check command will return avail=0 for any unavailable domain. To distinguish between categories, consult the unavailable domains list from the FTP server (lordn directory).