If the .si domain you want is unavailable, first check whether it is registered or reserved. If someone holds it, you can consider a different name, ask whether they would agree to transfer it, or—if you have qualifying rights and evidence of bad faith—consider a formal .si Alternative Domain Name Dispute Resolution System (ARDS) complaint. A matching business or brand name alone does not guarantee that you can take the domain.
Start by checking the domain’s status
Check the exact spelling and current status through Register.si or a .si registrar. Register.si says a domain cannot be registered if it is already taken or reserved. Availability can change, so check again when you are ready to act. An unavailable name is not, by itself, evidence that its holder has done anything wrong. Register.si’s registration guidance explains the rule.
Choose the option that fits your situation
| Option | When it may fit | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Register a different name | You do not have a clear rights claim, or the exact wording is not essential. | You give up the preferred name. Check that the alternative is available before registering it. |
| Ask the holder about a transfer | The exact name matters and a direct, respectful inquiry makes sense. | The holder may refuse. The official guidance does not establish a guaranteed purchase route or require a holder to sell. |
| Consider an ARDS complaint | You have a qualifying right and evidence addressing every required element. | It is a formal process with fees, deadlines and Slovenian-language requirements; the outcome is not assured. |
| Get legal advice | The rights or commercial stakes justify an individualized assessment, or you are considering court protection. | You will need case-specific legal advice; any separate costs and timing depend on the matter. |
If you want the exact name, you can ask about a transfer
You may contact the holder and ask whether they would consider transferring the domain. Keep the inquiry courteous and factual; registration does not oblige the holder to sell. The official materials reviewed do not describe a guaranteed registry-mediated purchase process.
If you have a justified reason to identify the holder but cannot find contact details, Register.si accepts substantiated requests for holder information, including requests connected to exercising legal rights or using ADR. Follow the registry’s current process and explain the justification for your request. Register.si’s holder-information request page provides the relevant route.
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When a .si ARDS complaint may be relevant
ARDS is a rights-based procedure, not a way to claim an unavailable name simply because you prefer it. Under version 5 of the ARDS Rules of Procedure, applicable to cases initiated on or after 7 October 2025, a complainant must establish all three elements:
- You have a qualifying right, and the disputed domain is identical or confusingly similar to it.
- The holder has no legitimate interest in the domain.
- The domain was registered or is being used in bad faith.
The rules identify potential rights including qualifying Slovenian trademarks, registered company names, copyright, registered geographic designations, personal names and other rights recognized under Slovenian law. Whether a particular right qualifies—and whether the evidence meets all three elements—depends on the facts. A matching trademark or company name does not automatically establish a right to the domain or prove the other elements.
What to prepare before filing
- Evidence identifying your right and showing how the domain matches or resembles it.
- Evidence relevant to whether the holder has a legitimate interest.
- Evidence relevant to bad-faith registration or use.
- The information the current complaint process requests about the parties, domain, grounds and remedy, together with supporting documents and fee documentation.
The complaint is submitted through the registry’s online process. The procedure is conducted in Slovenian, and the administrator or tribunal may require a certified translation of a submission in another language. Check the current form and rules for filing requirements. Register.si’s ARDS page links to the procedure information and process.
Deadlines, fees and timing
Under version 5 of the rules, the holder generally has 21 days to respond, counted from the day the disputed domain is blocked. The rules list a fee of €700 including VAT for a single-arbiter case involving one to five domains; a three-arbiter panel for one to five domains adds a €700 including VAT supplement. Fees vary with the number of domains and VAT status, so confirm the applicable amount in the current rules and form before filing. The version 5 rules set out the deadlines and fee structure.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRegister.si’s ADR Procedure Guidelines estimate that it usually takes about two to three months from filing to implementation of a decision. This is an approximate guide, not a guaranteed timetable for an individual case.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Consider legal advice if the stakes are significant
The ARDS rules do not exclude or restrict judicial protection and address situations involving concurrent court or arbitration proceedings. If your claim could affect a business, valuable brand or other important rights, consult a Slovenian lawyer about the evidence, deadlines and available options rather than predicting the result from a name match alone. Register.si’s General Terms and Conditions for .si registration, published and valid from 15 November 2024, also recognize that judicial protection remains available.
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