Domain Names
Introduction
The earliest ideas of a computer network intended to allow general communication between users of various computers were formulated in 1962. By 1969, the plan had been completed, approved by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the United States Department of Defense (DOD) and a contract was awarded to Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN). In October 1998, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was formed to take over the task of managing domain names. In 1984, the architecture of a new system called Domain Name System (DNS) was designed and is the basis of the DNS service used today on the Internet.
Today, there are more than 33,000,000 registered domain names.
There are real benefits for the small business owner to get a Web site. In addition to providing an additional revenue stream and a way to promote business 24/7, an online presence can help the entrepreneur be presented as having a professional organization capable of keeping up with the competition.
Today's consumer has come to expect each business with whom they work, large or small, to have a website. Many consumers will "check out" a business via their Web site before making a purchasing decision. If the business doesn’t have a Web site, it may indicate to a prospective buyer that the entrepreneur is not a serious business owner.
Many small business owners open a website as the sole source of business. The owners are not just marketing offline business, but are profiting from the website by selling products online. This type of online business is called e-commerce.
Domain Name System
A domain name is a web address, technically known as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The domain name is mapped to an Internet Protocol (IP) address which represents a physical point on the Internet. Thus, a domain name locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. The components of the IP address are referred to as levels.
A second-level domain is located immediately to the left of the dot after www. The second-level domain is the readable part of the domain name. The registrant defines the second-level domain. It typically refers to the organization or entity associated with the IP address. For example, in www.score.org, “score” is a second-level domain.
Second-level domains can be divided into further domain levels. For example: www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com. These sub domains sometimes represent different
computer servers within departments. More than one second-level domain name can be used for the same IP address.
A top-level domain name is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot following the second level domain name. The most common top-level domains are .com, .net, and .org. Some other popular top-level domains are .biz, .info, .name, and .ws. These common top-level domains have certain guidelines attached, but are for the most part available to any registrant, anywhere in the world.
There are also restricted top-level domains such as .aero, .biz, .edu, .mil, .museum, .name, and .pro, that require the registrant to represent a certain type of entity, or to belong to a certain community. For example, the “.name” is reserved for individuals and “.edu” is reserved for educational entities.
Country-codes are for websites and registrants within a particular geographic location. For example: bz (Belize), .ca (Canada), .dk (Denmark), .ec (Ecuador), ie (Republic of Ireland), .uk (United Kingdom), .us (United States), and .zw (Zimbabwe). A complete list of country-codes is available at
http://www.checkdomain.com/list.html
On the next level are third-level domains. These domains are immediately to the left of a second-level domain. In the en.wikipedia.org example, "en" is a third-level domain. The third level represents a particular location within the second-level domain name.
A Premium Domain is an English domain having a huge guaranteed sale value, now and in the future. A Premium Domain should meet the following specifications:
A maximum composition of four sequential and meaningful words, in context. Length should not exceed 21 characters.
Should not contain numeric characters (0-9). Does not contain hyphens.
Is not a typographical error or "typo". Consists of generic words or terms.
Does not infringe upon any trademark or other intellectual property rights. Word(s) sequence must be the usual word sequence used to describe the term. Anyone can register a domain name for a fee through domain registrars. Prior to registering a name, a search must be conducted to determine that the proposed name does not infringe an existing name or an existing trademark. Domain name registrars generally provide this service.
Registrars are listed below under the heading “Useful Websites.” Each registrar will walk the new registrant through the process. The new domain name can be reserved for future use or registered for immediate use. Reserving a name for future use is
referred to as “Parking.” Parking insures that the name will be available when the website is constructed. Additionally, domain names can be sold or purchased.
When constructing a website, the following should be observed:
1. Identification of all goods or services, such as names, slogans, logos and symbols, should be marked with the appropriate TM or SM;
2. The copyright notice, including the copyright symbol, year of creation and name of owner, © 2006 ABC Inc., should be placed at the bottom of the first page; and
3. The domain name can be registered as a trademark or service mark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office after it has achieved secondary meaning. Secondary meaning is when the general public associates the name with a particular product or service.
Domain Codes
A generic top-level domain is a code by a particular class of organization. These are three or more letters long, and are named for the type of organization that they represent (for example, .com for commercial organizations). The following list defines currently existing codes.
The .aero domain is reserved for members of the air-transport industry and is
sponsored by Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA). The .biz domain is restricted to businesses and is operated by NeuLevel, Inc.
The .cat domain is reserved for the Catalan linguistic and cultural community and is sponsored by Fundació puntCat
The .com domain is operated by VeriSign Global Registry Services.
The .coop domain is reserved for cooperative associations and is sponsored by Dot Cooperation LLC.
The .info domain is operated by Afilias Limited.
The .jobs domain is reserved for human resource managers and is sponsored by Employ Media LLC.
The .mobi domain is reserved for consumers and providers of mobile products and services and is sponsored by mTLD Top Level Domain, Ltd.
The .museum domain is reserved for museums and is sponsored by the Museum Domain Management Association.
The .name domain is reserved for individuals and is operated by Global Name Registry.
The .net domain is operated by VeriSign Global Registry Services.
The .org domain is operated by Public Interest Registry. It is intended to serve the noncommercial community, but all are eligible to register within .org.
The .pro domain is restricted to credentialed professionals and related entities and is operated by RegistryPro.
The .travel domain is reserved for entities whose primary area of activity is in the travel industry and is sponsored by Tralliance Corporation.
The .gov domain is reserved exclusively for the United States Government. It is operated by the US General Services Administration.
The .edu domain is reserved for postsecondary institutions accredited by an agency on the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies and is registered only through Educause.
The .mil domain is reserved exclusively for the United States Military. It is operated by the US DoD Network Information Center.
The .int domain is used only for registering organizations established by international treaties between governments. It is operated by the IANA .int Domain Registry
.
Useful Websites
Below is a list of web sites, in alphabetical order, where domain names can be searched, reserved, registered, purchased and sold.
http://www.aitdomains.com http://auctions.yahoo.com http://www.blacksun.ca/domain.html http://www.buydomains.com/ http://www.canadadomainnames.net http://www.checkdomain.com http://www.crosswinds.net http://dollarsarebetter.com http://www.domaindirect.com http://www.dotster.com/domains
http://domaininvestigator.com http://www.domainnamesexpress.com http://www.domainnamesforum.net http://www.domain-names-registration.com http://www.domainnamesystems.com http://www.domainregistration.com.au http://www.domains.org http://www.domainsearch.com http://domains.webcity.com http://www.echicagoweb.com http://www.enom.com http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.expireddomainnamespro.com http://www.findstuff.com http://www.fortunecity.com http://free.aol.com http://www.freeservers.com http://www.giantexplorer.com http://www.godaddy.com http://www.greatdomains.com http://www.homestead.com http://www.hostreview.com http://www.hostway.com http://www.igoldrush.com http://www.ipowerweb.com http://www.japanregistry.com http://learnthenet.com http://www.livetodot.com http://www.my-domains.us https://www.namesecure.com http://www.netfirms.com http://www.networksolutions.com http://www.nic.info http://www.occhosting.com http://www.omnis.com http://onlinebusiness.about.com http://order.1and1.com http://pc.mtld.mobi/mobilenet http://pcworld.about.com http://personalweb.about.com http://www.premiumdomains.com http://www.propelhosting.com http://www.register.com http://www.registryweb.com http://sbinfocanada.about.com http://www.securepaynet.net http://service.rapidsystem.net http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains http://www.thewhir.com http://www.tinyhosts.com http://www.trustedtestimonials.com http://www.web.com/ http://www.webcity.com.au http://webdesign.about.com http://www.webhosting.info/domains http://www.webopedia.com http://websearch.about.com http://www.wrcdomains.com http://www.zeeppo.com http://www.123-reg.co.uk http://100best-domain-names
Organizations
The web has provided many sites that are informative and useful for potential domain name registrars and for current domain name holders.
Internet Professional Organizations
Many states have an internet professionals’ organization that is a cross-functional group including business, technology, art, finance, law, education, government, etc. It is a source for people doing internet related work within the state to get together, learn together and work together for building the ecosystem and interconnections for a thriving internet industry. Many organizations sponsor meeting, provide a free weekly newspaper and links to local resources.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is an internationally organized, non-profit corporation that has responsibility for Internet Protocol (IP) address space allocation, protocol identifier assignment, generic (gTLD) and country code (ccTLD) Top-Level Domain name system management, and root server system management functions. ICANN functions in accordance with an agreement with U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC or USG). Substantial information is available at the ICANN website. www.icann.org
The Internet’s Network Information Center
The Internet’s Network Information Center (InterNIC) was established to provide the public non-technical information regarding Internet domain name registration services and is periodically updated. InterNic is a registered service mark of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The information is available at the InterNIC website. http://www.internic.net
The Domain Name Center
The Domain Name Center provides comprehensive information about domain name registration services, reselling domain names, domain name tools, TLDs, ccTLDs and much more. The web address is http://www.domain-name-center.com
Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy
All registrars in the .biz, .com, .info, .name, .net, and .org top-level domains follow the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (often referred to as the "UDRP"). Under the policy, trademark-based domain-name disputes must be resolved by agreement, court action, or arbitration before a registrar will cancel, suspend, or transfer a domain name. Disputes alleged to arise from abusive registrations of domain names (for example, cybersquatting) may be addressed by expedited administrative proceedings that the holder of trademark rights initiates by filing a complaint with an approved dispute-resolution service provider. Refer to web address: www.icann.org/udrp/udrp.htm United States Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
United States Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provides the U.S. Government's policy regarding the privatization of the domain name system in a manner that allows for the development of robust competition and that facilitates global participation in the management of Internet names and addresses. NTIA's Office of Policy Analysis and Development (OPAD) analyzes a wide range of issues affecting telecommunications and information. OPAD makes policy recommendations in such areas as media (e.g., radio, television, cable); wireless services and radio spectrum management; wireline competition; the Internet; domain names, and electronic commerce; new advanced broadband networks; and public interest issues related to telecommunications and information services. www.ntia.doc.gov
Webmasterworld
Webmasterworld hosts a forum that discusses general domain issues, such as: domains as a brand, domain values, negotiating domain sales, domain inventory management, and domain monetization. The forum will discuss many domain name issues, but never specific domain names. Join the forum at the site below.
http://www.webmasterworld.com
The Berkman Center for Internet & Society
The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Havard Law School is a research program founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study, and help pioneer its development. It represents a network of faculty, students, fellows, entrepreneurs, lawyers, and virtual architects working to identify and engage with the challenges and opportunities of cyberspace.
The Center investigates the real and possible boundaries in cyberspace between open and closed systems of code, of commerce, of governance, and of education, and the relationship of law to each. It does this through active rather than passive research, believing that the best way to understand cyberspace is to actually build out into it.
The faculty, fellows, students, and affiliates engage with a wide spectrum of Net issues, including governance, privacy, intellectual property, antitrust, content control and electronic commerce. The diverse research interests cohere in a common understanding of the Internet as a social and political space where constraints upon inhabitants are determined not only through the traditional application of law, but, more subtly, through technical architecture ("code").
As part of an active research mission, the Berkman Center builds, uses, and freely shares an open software platform for free online lectures and discussions. It also sponsors gatherings, ranging from informal lunches to international conferences, that bring together members of a diverse network of participants to swap insights--and sometimes barbs--as they stake out their respective visions for what the Net can become. http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/
Giant Explorer is a website that lists reviews of numerous websites which are categorized by generic headings. The format is similar to the conventional Yellow Pages telephone directory. The web address is http://www.giantexplorer.com
