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Background
What are domain
names?
InterNIC and NSI
Registration
Conflict Resolution
Problems
Trademarks
Confusion
Grabbing
Proposals
US Green Paper
gTLD-MoU
Conclusion
Resources
References
Examples
About the group
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Each computer connected to the Internet must have a unique identifying
number, known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, so information can be
forwarded to the correct computer. Domain names developed as a method
for Internet users to reach desired sites quickly without memorizing
complicated numeric addresses. For example, instead of remembering that
the Yahoo search engine has an IP
address of 204.71.177.70, users can enter
http://www.yahoo.com/.
Though the Internet was first developed as a research project funded by
the Defense Department, it grew to be dominated by personal and commercial
sites. The National Science Foundation took over management of the
Internet and solicited bids from companies to handle registration and
directory managment services. InterNIC won the bid in 1992 and now
controls domain name assignment and related services.
NSI has established a detailed procedure for handling the large numbers of
applications for domain names. Essentially, the process boils down to
finding a name, finding sources of domain name service, submitting an
application with sufficient contact information, and paying for the domain
name.
NSI also has an established policy for resolving disputes over domain
names. The policy acknowledges that trademark holders should be able to
obtain domain names identical to the trademark, and permits a trademark
owner to obtain an already-registered name if it is identical. It also
protects the current domain holder to some extent, for example in the case
where the domain holder registered it before the trademark holder
registered the trademark. However, once the courts get involved, NSI backs
out and waits for orders from the court.
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