Domain
  names
Home

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

Domain Names

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/.


InterNIC and NSI

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.


Registration

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.


Conflict Resolution

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.