Below, you will find a guide to assist you in situations where, for example, a DNS block implemented by internet service providers proves ineffective, and you wish to have a .dk domain name shut down.
I wish to have a domain shut down via Punktum dk
There are four potential options for shutting down a domain:
- You contact Punktum dk because the domain is being used for criminal activity.
- You request that Punktum dk initiate a data and ID verification process.
- You provide a seizure order.
- You provide a blocking order.
Read the details under each point to understand the requirements that must be met for the specific action to be carried out.
Please be aware that shutting down a domain also results in the loss of all other services associated with that domain, such as email services and IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity. Consequently, shutting down a domain can have irreversible consequences.
While the content itself does not disappear when a domain is shut down, internet users will no longer be able to use the domain to access that content.
Shutting down domains therefore has significant, far-reaching consequences for both businesses and private individuals. It is therefore crucial to be absolutely certain that this is the intended course of action—and that the website itself is indeed what needs to be shut down.
1. Contacting Punktum dk regarding a domain used for criminal activity
In very specific cases, we have the authority to take down a domain without a court order if it is being used for certain types of criminal activity.
Specific types of criminal activity
Under certain conditions, we may take down a domain if it is used for:
- Phishing, malware, or financial crime
- Matters of significant public or security concern, such as child sexual abuse material or terrorist propaganda
What is required for Punktum dk to take down a domain due to criminal activity?
Please be aware that specific requirements must be met. As the party reporting the issue, you are responsible for describing and documenting how these requirements are fulfilled.
Phishing, malware, or financial crime
Three conditions must all be met:
- The domain name is used in connection with a clear risk of financial crime, the compromise of IT equipment (e.g., phishing or the distribution of malware), and/or content of a highly offensive nature.
- The use of the domain name creates a risk of confusion with the domain name, name, logo, trademark, or other identifiers belonging to another individual or legal entity.
- The circumstances warrant action without waiting for a ruling from the Domain Name Complaints Board or the courts.
Matters of significant public or security concern, such as child sexual abuse material or terrorist propaganda
There are two conditions, both of which must be met in order for us to suspend the domain:
- The domain name is used in connection with obviously illegal actions or omissions that violate important security or societal considerations
- The circumstances speak for not waiting for a decision from the Complaints Board for Domain Names or the courts.
Fill in the form here.
What does it mean that the situation cannot wait for the complaints board or the courts?
In all cases, there must be an element of urgency. This means that if too much time has passed (e.g., a couple of months) since the domain was used for criminal activity, we cannot shut it down.
You must therefore consider whether you received the report and the documentation from the reporter in time for Punktum dk to shut down the domain.
What is meant by an "obvious risk" of criminal activity?
For Punktum dk to shut down a domain, there must be an obvious risk of criminal activity. This means that a mere suspicion of criminal activity is not sufficient. The reason is that, unlike the police, Punktum dk does not have the authority to conduct an investigation. Furthermore, if the web host has already taken down the website, there is no longer an "obvious risk," as the site can no longer be used.
How to ensure your documentation is sufficient
- The domain must be clearly visible in the documentation. Therefore, a screenshot of a website must show the domain at the top of the image.
- A copy or a forwarded email must show the domain within the email address itself.
- If the criminal activity involves multiple steps—for example, the phishing of card details—we require screenshots of every step in the process.
- It must be unambiguous that the intent is one of the types of criminal activity listed above, rather than, for instance, harassment. For example, obtaining price quotes in someone else’s name can constitute harassment; however, this is not sufficient grounds for us to take down the domain.
- If the criminal activity occurs via a link, please send the link to us so that we can verify whether the website is still active.
Why can’t you help when it is clearly a fake webshop?
We cannot, because in practice it is impossible to prove that goods were not delivered—or that they differ from what was ordered—and that the intent is financial crime.
Why can’t you help in cases involving identity misuse?
Identity misuse alone is not sufficient, as it cannot be ruled out that the intent is, for instance, harassment. If the identity misuse is used to commit, for example, financial crime, this may satisfy the condition regarding the risk of confusion.
Why can’t you help in cases involving counterfeit goods or similar items?
We cannot, because in practice it is impossible for Punktum dk to determine whether the sale of counterfeit goods is actually illegal, or whether an infringement of intellectual property (IP) rights has truly occurred.
2. You ask Punktum dk to initiate a data and ID check
Punktum dk can initiate a data and ID check. This means that the domain holder must provide documentation of their identity and contact details. If this is not done within 30 days, Punktum dk will close the domain.
A data and ID check may be initiated if:
- The information in the WHOIS database regarding the domain holder appears to be incorrect
You must explain why the name, address, telephone number, or email address in the WHOIS database is incorrect. It is irrelevant whether different contact details appear on the website itself.
Examples include an address that does not exist, or a company that has ceased operations or cannot be located at the registered address.
When contacting Punktum dk, it is important to describe how you arrived at your suspicion. - The domain is being misused
- You must explain how the domain is being misused and submit documentation to support this. Please note that Punktum dk can only take action against specific types of misuse. These types of misuse is stated in our terms If the situation does not involve the type of misuse that allows Punktum dk to close a domain, we can always initiate a data and ID check.
Fill out the customer service form here
3. You obtain a seizure order
If your actual goal is to shut down a website (DNS blocking), it is often easier and faster to contact the web host, the reseller, or the party responsible for the name server, as they do not always require a court order to take the website down.
Read more about the closure of websites
Do you still wish to seize the domain?
You can have a .dk domain name seized through Punktum dk for evidentiary purposes, provided that it has not been possible to secure the seizure of the website directly from the web hosting provider. If the web hosting provider is located abroad, Punktum dk can help ensure the matter is handled promptly.
If you contact Punktum dk regarding a seizure, we can help ensure that the case is handled correctly, thereby accelerating the process.
Let us work together to assist the court in issuing a proper court order.
To assist you, we have prepared informational material that you can provide to the court. This material explains the distinction between a domain and a website, and outlines the specific requirements for the court order to enable us to execute the seizure.
Contact us to obtain material for the court
4. You obtain a blocking order
If your actual goal is to shut down a website (DNS blocking), it is often easier and faster to contact the web host, the registrar, or the party responsible for the name server, as they do not always require a court order to take the website down.
Read more about the closure of websites
Do you still wish to block/deactivate the domain?
If you have already contacted the infringing party, the web hosting company, and the party responsible for the name server, Punktum dk may be able to assist you.
Deactivation via Punktum dk
You can only have a domain name deactivated through Punktum dk if an injunction or court order has first been sought against the infringing party or intermediaries—such as the web hosting company—that technically facilitate the dissemination of the website’s content.
If this has been attempted, you may—without first approaching telecommunications providers to request a DNS block—ask the court for an order directed at Punktum dk. This order must state that the court finds that DNS blocking by telecommunications providers is not a viable option, is considered futile, or has proven insufficient. Since the registrant would lose access to both their website and email communications, the court order must also confirm that deactivating the domain name is a proportionate measure.
Let us work together to help the court issue an appropriate order.
Please feel free to contact us prior to any court hearing if you believe this situation applies. We are happy to assist in ensuring the case is as thoroughly documented as possible, which will also help streamline our subsequent handling of the matter.
We also ask to be notified before you bring a case to court, as we wish to have the opportunity to decide whether we intend to appear in court.
To assist you, we have prepared informational material that you may provide to the court. The material explains the difference between a domain and a website, and what the court order must contain in order for us to carry out the deactivation.
Response regarding a request for an injunction or a mandatory order