The French version prevails
Under Swiss law, the French version of this document is the legally binding reference. This English translation is provided for informational purposes only and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. In the event of any discrepancy in interpretation, the French version shall prevail.
These special conditions govern the registration, management, renewal and transfer of domain names acquired through Hosthis. They supplement our terms of service and prevail over them in the event of any contradiction on matters relating to domain names.
By ordering a domain name, renewing one or transferring one to us, you agree to comply with these special conditions, with the applicable rules of the registries concerned and with the legislation in force — in particular the Swiss Ordinance on Internet Domains (OID) for the « .ch » and « .li » extensions and ICANN policies for generic extensions.
Hosthis’ role
Hosthis acts as an intermediary between the client and the relevant registry (SWITCH for the « .ch » and « .li » extensions, SWITCH for the « .swiss » extension, ICANN-accredited registries for generic extensions). We do not own the domain names registered on your behalf: they remain the property of the registrant declared at registration, subject to compliance with the rules of the registry concerned.
Accuracy and update of data
You undertake to provide accurate, complete and up-to-date data at the time of registration and to keep them up to date for the entire duration of the registration. Any inaccuracy or intentional omission may result in the suspension or deletion of the domain name by the registry concerned, without recourse and without any right to refund. It is your responsibility to update your contact details in your client area as soon as possible in the event of any change.
Registration term
The minimum registration term is one year. Some extensions allow longer terms; in that case the term chosen at ordering applies. Renewal takes place in one-year cycles, unless the registry concerned imposes special conditions.
Invoicing and renewal
Our system generates and sends the renewal invoice 30 days before the domain name’s expiry, with a reminder 3 days before the due date. You may also enable automatic renewal from your client area, in which case the payment method on file will be charged automatically upon renewal. If payment is not received by the due date, the domain name enters the non-renewal procedure described below.
Non-renewal and deletion
If the domain is not renewed, it enters a so-called « grace period » of variable length depending on the extension, during which it may be reactivated at the standard rate. At the end of this period, some extensions enter a « redemption period », during which the domain may still be recovered upon payment of the fees set by the registry. Once the redemption period has ended, the domain is permanently deleted and becomes available for registration to any third party; no recovery is then possible.
Redemption fees
Redemption fees are set by the registries concerned and passed on to you at cost. Details of the applicable fees per extension are published on our « Domains » page. Hosthis does not add any margin to these fees.
Inbound transfer
To transfer a domain name from another registrar to Hosthis, you must obtain the authorisation code (known as « auth code », « EPP » or « transfer code ») from your current registrar and make sure the domain name is unlocked. An inbound transfer equates to a one-year renewal, except for the « .ch » and « .li » extensions which benefit from free transfers at Hosthis. The existing expiry date is extended by one year from the effective transfer date, unless the registry imposes special conditions.
Outbound transfer
No fee is charged for the outbound transfer of a domain name. The authorisation code and unlock are available at any time from your client area; if unavailable, you may request them by opening a ticket. We will never block a legitimate transfer duly initiated by the registrant, unless we suspect fraud or are compelled by legal obligation.
Change of registrant
A change of registrant (known as « trade ») is carried out by submitting a request from your client area. Depending on the extension, this operation may require registry validation, submission of supporting documents and payment of fees set by the registry concerned. Some changes of registrant trigger a transfer-lock period (generally 60 days) during which no outbound transfer is possible.
WHOIS data protection
Unless the registry provides otherwise, protection of your personal data in the public WHOIS database is enabled free of charge and by default on extensions that permit it. Some extensions (notably « .ch » and « .li ») require the publication of certain registrant data and do not allow this protection. WHOIS protection may be lifted by court order, at the substantiated request of a competent authority, or as part of a dispute resolution proceeding, in accordance with the New Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP) and the rules of the registry concerned.
Restricted extensions
Registration of restricted extensions (notably « .swiss », « .zuerich », as well as certain professional or geographic extensions) is subject to special conditions defined by the registry: proof of a connection with Switzerland for the « .swiss » extension, verification of actual economic activity, specific documentary requirements. Hosthis reserves the right to refuse or cancel any registration that does not meet these conditions, without any right to refund.
Dispute resolution
Registering a domain name entails acceptance of the dispute resolution procedures applicable to the registry concerned, in particular: ICANN’s « Uniform Domain-Name Dispute Resolution Policy » (UDRP) for generic extensions; the dispute resolution rules applicable to the « .ch » and « .li » extensions managed by SWITCH via the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); any equivalent policy published by the registry concerned. Where a decision is issued at the end of such a proceeding, Hosthis will comply with that decision without any liability being incurred.
Prohibited uses
The registration and use of a domain name for the sole purpose of infringing the rights of a third party — in particular through cybersquatting, typosquatting, trademark impersonation, phishing or distribution of illegal content — is strictly prohibited. Any observed violation results, without notice, in suspension and, where applicable, deletion of the domain name, without any right to refund and without prejudice to any legal action that may be brought.
Suspension and deletion
A domain name may be suspended or deleted without notice in the following cases: non-payment of renewal; violation of these conditions, of our terms of service or of the rules of the registry concerned; court or administrative order; substantiated request from the registry or from a competent authority. No pro-rata refund will be granted.
Communication of data to registries
Certain registrant data (name, postal address, email, telephone number) must mandatorily be transmitted to the registries concerned pursuant to ICANN policies, SWITCH rules and the Swiss Ordinance on Internet Domains (OID). These communications are carried out in compliance with the New Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable. For more information on the data we process, please refer to our privacy policy.
Liability
Hosthis cannot be held liable for the loss, suspension or deletion of a domain name resulting from a registry decision, a dispute resolution proceeding, a court order or the client’s failure to meet their obligations. Our liability is limited to the proper execution of registration, renewal and transfer requests duly initiated by the client. We cannot guarantee the availability of a domain name before its effective validation by the registry.
Applicable law and jurisdiction
These special conditions are governed by Swiss law, subject to mandatory registry rules and applicable international guidelines. Any dispute relating to their interpretation or performance falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, with venue at Nyon.
Updates to the special conditions
It is your responsibility to regularly check these special conditions for any updates. We reserve the right to amend them and to not notify clients of these changes, notably to reflect the evolution of registry rules, of applicable legislation or of our practices.
Under Swiss law, the French version of this document is the legally binding reference. This English translation is provided for informational purposes only and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. In the event of any discrepancy in interpretation, the French version shall prevail.