INTERNET-DRAFT Simon Higgs
Catagory: Informational Higgs America
Expires January 31, 1997 July 1996
Top Level Domain Classification and Catagorization
< draft-higgs-tld-cat-02.txt >
Status of this Memo
This document is an Internet-Draft. Internet-Drafts are working
documents of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), its
areas, and its working groups. Note that other groups may also
distribute working documents as Internet-Drafts.
Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six
months and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other
documents at any time. It is inappropriate to use Internet-
Drafts as reference material or to cite them other than as
``work in progress.''
To learn the current status of any Internet-Draft, please check
the ``1id-abstracts.txt'' listing contained in the Internet-
Drafts Shadow Directories on ftp.is.co.za (Africa),
nic.nordu.net (Europe), munnari.oz.au (Pacific Rim),
ds.internic.net (US East Coast), or ftp.isi.edu (US West Coast).
Abstract
This memo is being distributed to members of the Internet
community in order to solicit their reactions to the proposals
contained in it.
This memo replaces RFC 1591, with all the guidelines and
procedures updated and modified in the light of experience.
It describes the uses and classes of the top level domain space,
and introduces new top level domains as an extension to the
existing international commercial namespace (.COM). This memo
suggests some ideas for the management of the establishment of
new top level domains, some procedures for domain name
registries, and some constraints on top level domain names.
This memo does not attempt to provide a direct solution for
preventing or resolving the domain name or trademark conflicts we
have recently witnessed, but it does create a foundation where
domain name conflict solutions can have maximum effect.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Domain Name Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. Top Level Domain Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Registry Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. Registry Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. Expanding the Top Level Domain Space . . . . . . . . . . . .
8. Appeals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10. Acknowlegements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11. Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. Introduction
This memo provides some information on the structure of the names
in the Domain Name System (DNS), specifically the top-level domain
names; and on the administration of domains. The Internet Domain
Name Authority (IDNA) is the overall authority for Domain Names.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is the overall
authority for the IP Addresses, and many other parameters, used in
the Internet. The day-to-day responsibility for the assignment of IP
Addresses, Autonomous System Numbers, and most top and second level
Domain Names are handled by Internet Registries (IR).
Since the Internet's future is going to be driven by commercial
market forces (i.e. the use of domain names to identify corporate
business units which are known to the public as "brand names"), we
should think about how to use those commercial aspects to the net's
advantage. This document covers only the framework necessary to
define the function, delegation, and use of new top level domains.
Several factors need to be addressed such as why the TLD exists in
the first place, who accepts registrations for the TLD, and what
special purpose (if any) the TLD serves. These questions can be
answered by the recognition of TLD "classes".
This memo creates the structure for the creation of new top level
domains, and introduces a number of new top level domains that are
designed to reduce naming conflicts in the .COM zone.
2. Trademarks
In Bruce Lehman's (Commissioner of the US Patent and Trademark
Office) own words:
"A trademark is nothing more than official recognition of something
that already exists. It is the consumer's perception that something
is in fact a trade name. It is from this perception that names can
acquire secondary meaning through their use, and in doing so, come
to be understood by the consuming public as the source of a
particular good or service. If the name cannot be recognized as the
source of a particular good or service, then that name is not a
trademark. For example, a person's name is not a trademark. But, if
a person goes into business using a particular name, that name might
become a trademark.
"The trademark law, unlike the patent law and the copyright law,
exists to serve the consumer, not to serve the interests of the
trademark owner. The primary operating principle of it is that the
consumer is not supposed to be confused by a plethora of different
products all bearing what appear to be similar names.
"When the consumer thinks of a name, he knows that he's getting
something that comes from the source he identifies traditionally as
being that name. So if the letters that make up the name have
acquired, in the minds of consumers, the reputation that they
represent products in a given field (that only come from that one
company), then the name has become a trademark." [END QUOTE]
Two points must be kept in mind when understanding trademark issues
on the internet: (a) domain names are and must be unique, and (b)
trademarked names are not necessarily unique (and there are many
examples of non-unique trademarks).
There are no international trademarks. There is no official
international registry of world wide trademarks. Trademarks may be
registered per country (and in the United States (at least) per
State). The World Intellectual Property Organization offers an
international arbitration service on such matters.
3. Domain Name Space
3.1 The History of Domain Names
The history of domain names can be found in [RFC 1034]. Domain name
implementation and specification can be found in [RFC 1035].
3.2. The Top Level Structure
In the Domain Name System (DNS) naming of computers there is a
hierarchy of names. The root of system is unnamed. There are a set
of what are called "top-level domain names" (TLDs). These are
identified either by ISO-3166 two letter country codes, or generic
TLDs, whose naming indicates the catagory of organization that is
found there.
Under each TLD may be created a hierarchy of names. Generally,
under the generic TLDs the structure is very flat. That is, many
organizations are registered directly under the TLD, and any further
structure is up to the individual organizations.
The domain name space is a tree structure:
. (un-named root)
|
---------------------------------------------------------
| | | | | | | |
.COM .EDU .NET .ORG .GOV .US .UK [other TLDs]
|
USPTO
|
WWW
The above example describes the internet host ..
where GOV is the US government top level domain, USPTO is the
domain used by the US Patent and Trademark office, and the WWW
identifies that organization's host (computer) that functions as
their web server.
In the country TLDs, there is a wide variation in the structure, in
some countries the structure is very flat, in others there is
substantial structural organization. In some country domains the
second levels are generic categories (such as, AC, CO, GO, and RE),
in others they are based on political geography, and in still
others, organization names are listed directly under the country
code. The organization for the US country domain is described in
RFC 1480.
As an example of a country domain, the US domain provides for the
registration of all kinds of entities in the United States on the
basis of political geography, that is, a hierarchy of
...US. For example,
"IBM.Armonk.NY.US". In addition, branches of the US domain are
provided within each state for schools (K12), community colleges
(CC), technical schools (TEC), state government agencies (STATE),
councils of governments (COG), libraries (LIB), museums (MUS), and
several other generic types of entities (see RFC 1480 for details).
The country code domains (for example, FR, NL, KR, US) are each
organized by an administrator for that country. These administrators
may further delegate the management of portions of the naming tree.
These administrators are performing a public service on behalf of
the Internet community.
3.3 Political decisions
The political decisions about the top levels of the tree
originated in [RFC-920], with current information in this memo.
The current policy for the top level and second level domains is
discussed in [RFC-1032]. [RFC-1178] describes the choices in
naming a host. MILNET conversion issues are covered in [RFC-1031].
3.4 TLD Classes
Top level domains can be divided into three groups. There are those
which are non-exclusive, and which can be served by multiple
registries. There are those that may need to be served by a single,
registry that has the necessary expertize to address
specific issues , and there are a very small number which
may be required in the future to serve single large organizations.
3.4.1. Openly Competitive TLD Class
The Openly Competitive TLD Class contains TLD's which are
represented to the public by multiple registries. Unless
specifically documented otherwise in the TLD's charter, all new
TLDs will be in this class. Existing TLDs may be delegated by
IANA into this class as well.
3.4.2. Specialized TLD Class
The Specialized TLD Class describes TLDs that are
industry-specific, or where a high-level of domain name control
is needed. These TLD's are operated by a single registry.
Registration is only open to organizations within the specific
areas defined in the TLDs charter. The registry must be able to
address specific issues arising from the use of and delegation
of a particular domain. These TLD's could represent specific
industries, other closely defined market niches, or top level
country domains. The registry must display direct expertise in
the area of specialization and is able to constructively address
issues in the context of running a TLD registry
An example of an existing TLD in this class is .INT which is
closely controlled and is only open to International Treaty
Organizations.
3.4.3. Single Organization TLD
In certain rare instances, it may be possible for a qualifying
internationally known organization to be identified on the
Internet by it's own exclusive TLD. All second and third level
domain name registrations are performed within the organization.
The organization is the sole trustee of the TLD, and all disputes
arising from domain name delegation are the organizations
responsibility.
An example of an existing TLD in this class is .MIL., which is
exclusively operated by, and for, the United States military
4. Top Level Domain Creation
4.1. Delegation
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is responsible
for the overall coordination and management of the Domain Name
System (DNS), and especially the delegation of portions of the
name space called top-level domains. Most of these top-level
domains are two-letter country codes taken from the ISO standard
3166.
Internet Registries (IR) are selected and designated to handled
the bulk of the day-to-day administration of the Domain Name
System. Applications for new top-level domains are handled by the
Internet DNS Names Review Board (IDNB), a committee established
by the IANA.
The application process to create a new TLD is described in
another memo. The following policy applies to all TLDs.
4.2. Top Level Domain Policy
The policy concerns involved when a new top-level domain is
established are described in the following. Also mentioned are
concerns raised when it is necessary to change the delegation of
an established domain from one party to another.
Most of these same concerns are relevant when a sub-domain is
delegated and in general the principles described here apply
recursively to all delegations of the Internet DNS name space.
In the past, a new top-level domain was created and its
management delegated to a "designated manager" all at once. This
was because each TLD was managed by a single registry. In order
to open competition in the area of domain registrations, it may
be necessary for each TLD to be managed by a group of trustees
made up from the management of each registry serving that TLD.
The major concern in selecting trustees for a domain is that the
management be able to carry out the necessary responsibilities,
and have the ability to do a equitable, just, honest, and
competent job.
4.2.1. The key requirement is that for each domain there be a
trustee for supervising that domain's name space. In the
case of TLDs that are country codes this means that there is
a manager that supervises the domain names and operates the
domain name system in that country. In the case of domains
managed by multiple registries this function is handled by a
group of trustees made up of a single member from each
participating registry.
The trustees must, of course, be on the Internet. There must
be Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity to the nameservers and
email connectivity to the management and staff of each of the
trustees.
There must be an administrative contact and a technical
contact for each domain. For TLDs that are country codes at
least the administrative contact must reside in the country
involved. For TLDs administered by multiple IRs, an
administrative and technical must be listed from each
registry.
4.2.2. These designated authorities are trustees for the delegated
domain, and have a duty to serve the community.
The designated manager is the trustee of the top-level
domain for both the nation, in the case of a country code,
and the global Internet community.
Concerns about "rights" and "ownership" of domains are
inappropriate. It is appropriate to be concerned about
"responsibilities" and "service" to the community.
4.2.3. The designated trustees must be equitable to all groups that
request domain names.
This means that the same rules are applied to all requests,
all requests must be processed in a non-discriminatory
fashion, and academic and commercial (and other) users are
treated on an equal basis. No bias shall be shown regarding
requests that may come from customers of some other business
related to the manager -- e.g., no preferential service for
customers of a particular data network provider. There can be
no requirement that a particular mail system (or other
application), protocol, or product be used.
There are no requirements on subdomains of top-level domains
beyond the requirements on higher-level domains themselves.
That is, the requirements in this memo are applied
recursively. In particular, all subdomains shall be allowed
to operate their own domain name servers, providing in them
whatever information the subdomain manager sees fit (as long
as it is true and correct).
4.2.4. Significantly interested parties in the domain should agree
that the designated trustees are the appropriate parties.
However, it is also appropriate for interested parties to
have some voice in selecting the designated trustees. For
TLDs served by multiple registries, the management of the TLD
will be delegated to a group of trustees comprised of one
member from each participating IR.
The IANA tries to have any contending parties reach agreement
among themselves, and generally takes no action to change
things unless all the contending parties agree; only in cases
where the designated trustees have substantially mis-behaved
would the IANA step in.
There are two cases where the IDNB may establish a new TLD
and delegate only a portion of it: (1) there are contending
parties that cannot agree, or (2) the applying party may not
be able to represent or serve the whole country. The later
case sometimes arises when a party outside a country is
trying to be helpful in getting networking started in a
country -- this is sometimes called a "proxy" DNS service.
The IDNB will act as a review panel for cases in which the
parties can not reach agreement among themselves. The IDNB's
decisions will be binding.
4.2.5. The trustee must do a satisfactory job of operating the DNS
service for the domain.
That is, the actual management of the assigning of domain
names, delegating subdomains and operating nameservers must
be done with technical competence. This includes keeping the
IRs (in the case of top-level domains) or other higher-level
domain management advised of the status of the domain,
responding to requests in a timely manner, and operating the
database with accuracy, robustness, and resilience.
There must be a primary and a secondary nameserver that have
IP connectivity to the Internet and can be easily checked
for operational status and database accuracy by the IR, the
IDNB and the IANA.
In cases when there are persistent problems with the proper
operation of a domain, the delegation may be revoked, and
possibly delegated to another designated manager, or group of
trustees.
4.2.6. For any transfer of the designated manager trusteeship from
one organization to another, the higher-level domain manager
(the IANA in the case of top-level domains) must receive
communications from both the old organization and the new
organization that assure the IANA that the transfer is
mutually agreed, and that the new organization understands
its responsibilities.
It is also very helpful for the IANA to receive
communications from other parties that may be concerned or
affected by the transfer.
4.3. Rights to Names
4.3.1. Names and Trademarks
This memo recognizes that the use of the domain name space
has changed since it was first introduced. This change was
not brought about by conscious choice or any one person, but
the change in the demographics of the internet population as
a whole.
As the internet population increases, and the demographic
changes from an academic to a consumer population, more
importance is placed on the identity of the source of goods
or services on the internet. Although there is no trademark
status attached to a domain name when it is issued, through
its use, a domain name can aquire secondary meaning in the
eyes of the internet consumer. As such, the legal status of
a domain name, taken on a domain by domain basis, may include
the form of a trademark.
Many of the problems regarding domain names as trademarks
arise because they incorporate terms that have already
aquired secondary meaning outside the internet. Certain words
or phrases already have associations with products or
services in the minds of consumers. One of the questions this
poses is whether an existing trademark gives any entitlement
to a domain name. The answer is not clear, and probably will
never be entirely clear. New businesses started on the net
with a similar domain name but that do not compete with an
existing trademark holder have already faced litigation.
Others in the same position have not.
It should be noted that certain generic elements, such as
the top level domain suffix, should not infer any special
status, nor should common prefixes such as www, ftp, gopher,
or similarly used common nmemonics. In special circumstances,
it may be possible that a combination of domain name elements
(also known as an atomic string) is allowed, but this can
only be decided by a duly appointed trademark examiner at the
time of a trademark registration, or by a decision made by a
court of law. In either case, this can only be done on an
individual domain by domain basis in exactly the same manner
as names used outside of the internet.
The domain name space was never intended to be a directory
service, and this memo does not describe a method of indexing
the name space. It must be acknowledged however, that by
identifying the source of goods or services, the domain name
space becomes, in the eyes of the consumer, a limited form
of directory service that can assist in the location of a
particular good or service on the internet.
It is up to the requestor to be sure he is not violating
anyone else's trademark. The IR must include a statement to
this effect in any registration template.
In case of a dispute between domain name registrants as to
the rights to a particular domain name, the registration
authority shall have no role or responsibility other than to
provide the contact information to both parties. In any
dispute where the IR is named in any lawsuit, the IR should
file an "Interpleader"** before the court, agreeing to abide
by the ruling of that =E7ourt. Until such a time, the IR is
obligated to provide uninterupted service of the domain in
the root database.
** Interpleader - The IR informs the court that if the court
will please decide who is entitled to the domain name, and if
the court will please let the IR know, then the IR will
delegate the domain name to the correct party.
4.3.2. Well-Known Domain Name Registrations
It seems inevitable that a trademark holder will want a
domain name that reflects the name of the trademark held.
There are "strong" trademarks that are registered in many
countries and are vigorously defended. These may come close
to being unique. There are many "not so strong" trademarks
that may be regional or business sector specific (for
example, United Air Lines and United Van Lines, or the Acme
Brick Company and the Acme Electric Corporation)).
There are two conflicting goals of different trademark
holders with respect to domain names: (a) to protect their
trademarks against infringement, and (2) to have access to
the domain name system to use their trademarks in a domain
name.
Trademark infringement is the use of a trademarked name in a
way that may confuse the consumer about the source or quality
of a product or service. For strong trademarks there may also
be infringement if the use of a trademarked name dilutes the
value of the trademark.
Holders of not so strong trademarks want the ability to use
their trademarked name in a domain name while some other
holder of the same mark for a different purpose also can use
their trademarked name in a domain name. These people would
say it is essential to create additional top-level domains
to permit fair access to domain names by holders of not so
strong trademarks.
The number of not so strong trademarks far exceeds the number
of strong trademarks and that the domain name system should
provide for the needs of the many rather than protecting the
privileges of the few. It is because of this need that the
top level domain space must be expanded beyond the currently
used TLDs.
It may be prudent, in the case of the Specialized TLD Class,
that they implement a very restrictive TLD charter. For
example, it may be a requirement that the domain applicant
is in possesion of an International call-sign to register
a domain in .RADIO. Or be a recognized news source to
register in .NEWS.
Given that no rights or legal status are provided with a
domain name, it may be possible to auction domain names off
to the highest bidder in the same way the FCC auctions off
block of the radio frequency spectrum.
4.3.3. Country Codes
Neither the IDNB, nor the IANA is in the business of
deciding what is and what is not a country.
The selection of the ISO 3166 list as a basis for country
code top-level domain names was made with the knowledge that
ISO has a procedure for determining which entities should
be and should not be on that list.
4.4. TLD Charters
Each new TLD must be created with an identifiable purpose. A
written charter will identify and explain the function and
purpose of each TLD.
In the case of the Specialized and Corporate TLD classes
(described below), the corporation or organization acting as
the registry will be responsible for creating the TLD's charter.
This will be part of the TLD application process. Guidelines
for charter creation will be made publically available by IANA.
The following items must be identified in the charter:
4.2.1 Registration procedure, documenting all steps
4.2.2 Service guarantees required in the operation of that TLD
4.2.3 Error resolution policy (including any refund policy)
4.2.4 Dispute policy (including any refund policy)
4.2.5 Procedure for dealing with domain name and trademark
conflicts.
4.3. Registry's Failure To Enforce Charter
In processing registrations, each registry must observe the
procedures laid out in the charter for each TLD. Should a
delegated registry be unable or unwilling to enforce a TLD
charter, then at the IDNB's discretion, the authority to accept
or process registrations for that TLD would be removed, and the
TLD would be assigned to another registry.
5. Registry Selection
The function of the registry is to support and maintain the TLD(s)
that it is responsible for, by meeting the TLD's charter. It is
important to understand that the registries serve the TLD's, and not
the other way around. Therefore registries must be selected to meet
the needs of each TLD.
New registries (IRs) will be selected by the IDNB, and delegated
TLDs to manage. Registrations are accepted on a first come first
served basis.
The registry application process is described in another memo. All
registries must comply with the following guidelines:
5.1. Openly Competitive TLD Class
Each Openly Competitive TLD must be operated by multiple
registries. Each registry is responsible for registering
secondary domains in a competitive marketplace alongside other
registries.
The following criteria must be met:
5.1.1. the registry must be approved by the IDNB
5.1.2. the registry has the ability to operate at least two
TLD nameservers
5.1.3. the registry makes peering arrangements with NAP's if
they run their own backbones between NAP locations or
commonly used backbone data exchange points
5.1.4 payment of a set up fee and annual license fee to operate
each TLD (proceeds go to a fund administered by ISOC for
the maintenance and upkeep of critical internet
components, such as the root nameservers)
5.1.5. the registry must observe and enforce the charter of
each TLD
5.2. Specialized TLD Class
Each Specialized TLD is operated by a single registry who is
granted a monopoly status within a specific TLD catagory,
and is responsible for registering all secondary domains.
The following criteria must be met:
5.2.1. the registry must be approved by the IDNB
5.2.2. the registry displays direct expertise in the chosen area
of business and is able to constructively address issues
in the context of running a TLD registry
5.2.3. the registry must have the ability to operate at least
two TLD nameservers
5.2.4. the registry makes peering arrangements with NAP's if
they run their own backbones between NAP locations or
commonly used backbone data exchange points
5.2.5. payment of a set up fee and annual license fee to operate
the TLD (proceeds go to a fund administered by ISOC for
the maintenance and upkeep of critical internet
components, such as the root nameservers)
5.2.6. the registry must observe and enforce the charter of
each TLD
5.3. Corporate TLD Class
Each Corporate TLD is operated by a single company who has
exclusive use of the TLD. It is that company's responsibilty
for all registrations under this TLD, including a charter.
The following criteria must be met:
5.2.1. the organization must be approved by the IDNB
5.2.2. the registry must have the ability to operate at least
two TLD nameservers
5.2.4. the organization makes peering arrangements with NAP's if
they run their own backbones between NAP locations or
commonly used backbone data exchange points
5.2.5. payment of a set up fee and annual license fee to operate
the TLD (proceeds go to a fund administered by ISOC for
the maintenance and upkeep of critical internet
components, such as the root nameservers)
5.2.6. the organization is responsible for observing and
enforcing it's own charter
6. Registry Fees
The registry fee schedule is described in another memo.
7. Expanding the Top Level Domain Space
The top level namespace is divided up by catagory. These catagories
contain either the geographical location (by country), or a brief
description of the type of entity registering a domain name.
In order to expand the top level, and lighten the load on the
existing TLDs (most notably .COM), a catagory naming scheme is
needed to avoid, or at the very least, limit the number of potential
disputes in the domain name space. By allowing organizations to
obtain and use domain names within their specific area of business,
two companies with the same business name, can operate domain names
on the internet without causing confusion to the consumer in exactly
the same way they would outside the internet. By placing each
company under a top level domain that describes its business
catagory, it will be easier to determine that ., the
hamburger company, is not ., the gas station chain. The
mapping scheme is primarily designed to protect the consumer from
fraud by describing the area of business and to establish an
identity of the source of goods and services provided over the
internet. It does not provide any trademark recognition or status.
The catagories listed below are not perfect. It is still possible
for conflicts to occur, as two organizations that do not directly
compete in a way to confuse the consumer to be both registered
under the same catagory under the same name outside of the internet.
This is especially true in the international realm where companies
can have identical names and never meet to compete geographically.
However, this is an area where, after a year of many folks on the
internet asking, the experts continually say there is no solution
readily at hand. The following new TLDs are loosely based upon the
International Trademark Schedule of Goods and Services. It is used
as a TEMPLATE only. There is no direct mapping of existing
trademarks, future trademarks, or other intellectual property.
It is completely impractical to infer any kind of trademark
ownership to an assigned domain name at the time it is issued.
Domain names issued still have to aquire that secondary meaning
through use, and through its ability to determine the source of
the goods and services provided, in order for a trademark to be
recognizable or assigned by a trademark authority.
Some companies say, "So what? We'll go and register under every
TLD." The answer is in the TLD charter described above and the
obligation of each registry to enforce that charter. If a TLD's
catagory/description is for soap, a company should only be able to
register in that catagory if it has a legitimate soap business. If a
company has a chemical division, and an oil division, they can
legitimately be in two TLD's provided that each presence is
distinguishable from the other. If the company is large enough to
fill all the catagories, maybe it should think of removing itself
from this part of the namespace and apply for it's own TLD.
Provisions for this are also described above.
The problem this also addresses is the one faced by most companies
of how to direct their internet presence. Faced with one home
page, those areas fighting for attention include the annual report
to shareholders, PR & press releases, assorted company divisions
publishing their business-to-business information, as well as the
main consumer presence (tech. support, product info, online
upgrades, etc.). This mapping scheme could, in theory, allow each
business unit to establish its own internet presence without
competing against other internal company resources or outside
competitors.
7.1. Existing International Generic Top Level Domains
.EDU 4 year colleges and universities. Schools and 2-year
colleges should be registered in the country domains.
.NET NIC and NOC computers, administrative computers, and
network node computers. Customers of network providers
should have domain names of their own (not in the NET TLD).
.ORG Miscellaneous TLD for organizations that don't fit anywhere
else. Non-government organizations may fit here.
.INT This domain is for organizations established by
international treaties, or international databases.
.COM Commercial entities, i.e. businesses and companies.
7.2. Existing United States-Only Generic Domains
.GOV US Federal government agencies. State and local agencies
are registered under the the .US country TLD.
.MIL US Military.
7.3. Existing ISO-3166 Country Domains
The top level country domains follow ISO-3166. There is one anomoly,
.UK which is grandfathered into this group.
7.4. New Top Level Domains
.CHEM Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as
well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry;
unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics;
manures; fire extinguishing compositions; tempering and
soldering preparations; chemical substances for
preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives
used in industry.
.PAINT Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust
and against deterioration of wood; colorants; mordants;
raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for
painters, decorators, printers and artists.
.CLEAN Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry
use; cleaning polishing, scouring and abrasive
preparations; soaps; perfumery, essential oils,
cosmetics, hair lotions; dentifrices.
.OIL Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing,
wetting and binding compositions; fuels (including motor
spirit) and illuminants; candles, wicks.
.PHA Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations;
dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for
babies; plasters, materials for dressings; material for
stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations
for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides.
.ORE Common metals and their alloys; metal building
materials; transportable buildings of metal; materials
of metal for railway tracks; non-electric cables and
wires of common metal; ironmongery, small items of metal
hardware; pipes and tubes of metal; safes; goods of
common metal not included in other classes; ores.
.PTL Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except
for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission
components (except for land vehicles); agricultural
implements; incubators for eggs.
.HTL Hand tools and implements (hand operated); cutlery;
side arms; razors.
.DATA Scientific, nautical, surveying, electric, photographic,
cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring,
signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and
teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus for
recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or
images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs;
automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin
operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating
machines, data processing equipment and computers;
fire-extinguishing apparatus.
.ARTIF Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and
instruments, artificial limbs, eyes and teeth;
orthopedic articles; suture materials.
.UTIL Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating,
cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water
supply and sanitary purposes.
.VEH Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or
water.
.ITAR Firearms; ammunition and projectiles; explosives;
fireworks. Goods regulated under the International
Traffic In Arms Regulations.
.GEM Precious metals and their alloys and goods in precious
metals or coated therewith, not included in other
classes; jewelry, precious stones; horological and
chronometric instruments.
.MUSIC Musical instruments. Record companies. Musical groups
and orchestras.
.PRINT Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials,
not included in other classes; printed matter,
bookbinding material; photographs; stationery;
adhesives for stationery or household purposes;
artists' materials; paint brushes; typewriters and
office requisites (except furniture); instructional
and teaching material (except apparatus); playing
cards; printers' type; printing blocks.
.PLAS Rubber, gutta-percha, gum asbestos, mica and goods
made from these materials and not included in other
classes; plastics in extruded form for use in
manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating
materials; flexible pipes, not of metal.
.DERM Leather and imitations of leather, and goods made of
these materials and not included in other classes;
animal skins, hides; trunks and travelling bags;
umbrellas, parasols and walking sticks; whips,
harness and saddlery.
.LOAM Building materials (non-metallic); non-metallic rigid
pipes for building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen;
non-metallic transportable buildings; monuments, not
of metal.
.FURN Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; goods (not
included in other classes) of wood, cork, reed, cane,
wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber,
mother-of-pearl, meerschaum and substitutes for all
these materials, or of plastics.
.UTEN Household or kitchen appliances, utensils and containers
(not of precious metal or coated therewith); combs and
sponges; brushes (except paint brushes); brush-making
materials; articles for cleaning purposes; steel wool;
unworked or semi-worked glass (except glass used in
building); glassware, porcelain and earthenware not
included in other classes.
.ROPE Ropes, string, nets, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sails,
sacks and bags (not included in other classes); padding
and stuffing materials) except of rubber or plastics);
raw fibrous textile materials.
.YARN Yarns and threads, for textile use.
.TEX Textiles and textile goods, not included in other
classes; bed and table covers.
.WEAR Clothing, footwear, headgear.
.CRAFT Lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid; buttons, hooks
and eyes, pins and needles; artificial flowers.
.FLOOR Carpets, rugs, mates and matting, linoleum and other
materials for covering existing floors; wall hangings
(non-textile).
.GAMES Games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles
not included in other classes; decorations for
Christmas trees.
.FOOD Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved,
dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams,
fruit sauces; eggs, milk and milk products; edible oils
and fats.
.COND Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice tapioca, sago,
artificial coffee; flour and preparations made from
cereals, bread, pastry and confectionery, honey,
treacle; yeast, baking-powder; salt, mustard; vinegar,
sauces (condiments); spices; ice.
.AGRI Agricultural, horticultural and forestry products and
grains not included in other classes; live animals;
fresh fruits and vegetables; seeds, natural plants and
flowers; foodstuffs for animals, malt.
.BEV Mineral and aerated waters and other
non-alcoholic drinks; fruit drinks and fruit juices;
syrups and other preparations for making beverages.
.ALC Alcoholic beverages.
.BUS Advertising; business management; business
administration; office functions.
.FIN Insurance; financial affairs; monetary affairs; real
estate affairs.
.CONST Building construction; repair; installation services.
.TEL Telecommunications.
.TRAV Transport; packaging and storage of goods; travel
arrangement.
.TREAT Treatment of materials.
.CUL Education; providing of training; sporting and
cultural activities.
.XXX Sexually explicit material.
.ENT Entertainment
.NEWS News services.
.RAD Radio stations with international call-signs.
.MOV Film, cinema, and TV releases.
8. Appeals
An appeals process has yet to be defined, and will appear in a
later draft. IANA is accepted as the appeals body for the purpose
of this draft.
9. Security Considerations
There are no known security considerations beyond those already
existent in the DNS.
10. Acknowlegements
This memo includes much of the material in RFC1591. It also includes
issues discussed in several mailing lists, most notably
and . The
International Trademark Schedule for Goods and Services has been
folded, spindled and mutilated in an attempt to devise sensible new
TLD catagories and remove any trademark status. Commissioner Bruce
Lehman's words in Section 2 are from an interview by the author in
1993. Some minor passages are taken from Jon Postel's domain name
registry draft.
Valuable feedback, review, and inspiration have been provided by:
Jon Postel
Bill Manning (bmanning@isi.edu>
Karl Denniger
Michael Dillon
Dan Burk
Greg Woods
Many others have contributed in one way or another. I am grateful
to the many people that point out that "it'll never work!"
11. Author's Address
Simon Higgs
Higgs America
P.O. Box XXXX
XXXXXXXX, XX XXXXX-XXXX
Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Fax: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Email: XXXXX@XXXXX.XXX
Expires January 31, 1997.
