| − | In 1985, Dr. [[Jon Postel]] and [[Joyce Reynolds]] issued [[RFC]] 920,<ref>[http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc920.txt RFC 920]</ref> which described the deployment of the original [[TLD|top level domains]] (TLDs), which included [[.com]] (commercial), [[.gov]] (government), [[.edu]] (education), [[.mil.]] (military), [[.org]] (organization) and the [[.arpa]] intended for the transition of the ARPA-internet. The two-letter (alpha-2) country codes were also delegated under the ISO-3166-1 list. <ref>[http://www.iso.org/iso/english_country_names_and_code_elements ISO 3166-1-alpha-2 code elements]</ref> In 1988, [[.net]] and [[.int]] were added to the root zone of the DNS.
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| − | The over-all structure and delegation of the DNS was described by Dr. Postel in 1994 in RFC 1591<ref>[http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1591.txt RFC 1591]</ref> wherein the seven original TLDs ( .com, .edu. .mil, .gov, .org, .net and .int) are called [[gTLD|generic top level domain names]] (gTLDs) and the alpha-2 country codes. The .mil was restricted for the use of United States military and the .org was also originally restricted to be used by U.S. government agencies. The management and coordination of the entire DNS of the internet was handled by the [[IANA|Internet Assigned Numbers Authority]]. In addition, under RFC 1591 the creation of new gTLDs seemed unlikely to happen.
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| − | The use of the Internet increased rapidly and the Internet community expressed their concern of the limited choice in the registration of gTLDs. In 1998, President [[Bill Clinton]] instructed the [[DOC|Department of Commerce]] (DoC) to look into their concerns. In response to the President's directive, the DoC issued the [[Green Paper]], which tackled the different issues related to the DNS, aspects that needs improvement and enumerated the reasons behind the widespread dissatisfaction of the internet community particularly the lack of competition in domain name registration. The Green Paper suggested improvement in the technical management of the DNS as well as introduction of new TLDs.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/022098fedreg.htm Green Paper]</ref>
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| − | After receiving comments from the Internet community regarding the Green Paper, the Department of Commerce issued the [[White Paper]], which contained solutions to the issues raised by the community, particularly the creation of a new, non-profit organization responsible for the technical management of the Internet. As a result, the [[ICANN|Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers]] (ICANN) was formed. The White Paper also enumerated the primary functions of ICANN, which determined the circumstances necessary to develop policies for the implementation of new TLDs under a deliberate and controlled pace to allow evaluation of its impact and a reasonable transition of the domain space.<ref>[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/6_5_98dns.htm White Paper]</ref>
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| | During the early years of ICANN's establishment, one of the main activities of the organization was the development of new TLDs. The [[DNSO|Domain Name Supporting Organization]] (DNSO) was delegated to conduct a development process for the introduction of new TLDs and protection of popular trademarks. On July 16, 2000, the ICANN Board adopted a policy for the introduction of new TLDs. <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/prelim-report-16jul00.htm#00.46 July 16, 2000 ICANN Yokohama Meeting]</ref> By August, ICANN issued the new TLD application process wherein proposals to sponsor or operate new TLDs were received from September 5 to October 2, 2000.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/tlds/application-process-03aug00.htm New TLD Application Process Overview]</ref> Eventually, on November 16, 2000, '''.name''' was selected as one of the seven new TLDs selected by the ICANN Board along with [[.aero]], [[.biz]], [[.coop]], [[.info]], [[.museum]], and [[.pro]]. | | During the early years of ICANN's establishment, one of the main activities of the organization was the development of new TLDs. The [[DNSO|Domain Name Supporting Organization]] (DNSO) was delegated to conduct a development process for the introduction of new TLDs and protection of popular trademarks. On July 16, 2000, the ICANN Board adopted a policy for the introduction of new TLDs. <ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/minutes/prelim-report-16jul00.htm#00.46 July 16, 2000 ICANN Yokohama Meeting]</ref> By August, ICANN issued the new TLD application process wherein proposals to sponsor or operate new TLDs were received from September 5 to October 2, 2000.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/tlds/application-process-03aug00.htm New TLD Application Process Overview]</ref> Eventually, on November 16, 2000, '''.name''' was selected as one of the seven new TLDs selected by the ICANN Board along with [[.aero]], [[.biz]], [[.coop]], [[.info]], [[.museum]], and [[.pro]]. |