Country code top-level domain: Difference between revisions

 

A '''Country Code Top-Level Domain''' ('''ccTLD''') is a two-letter Internet top-level domains ([[TLD]]s) specifically designated for a particular country, sovereign state or autonomous territory for use to service their community. ccTLDs are derived from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1_alpha-2 ISO 3166-1 alpha-2] country codes.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/cctlds/ ICANN ccTLDs]</ref>

The implementation of ccTLDs was started by [[IANA]], which is not a physical organization or an individual but it is part of [[ICANN]].<ref>[https://www.nominus.com/en/dm/blog/country-domains/january-2022/what-are-country-code-top-level-domains-and-why-do-they-matter Who created ccTLDs?]</ref> The delegation and creation of ccTLDs is presented within [https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1591.txt RFC 1591]. In order to determine whether new ccTLDs should be added or not, the IANA follows the provisions of ISO 3166 - Maintenance Agency. Briefly, "our policy is to create new country-code top-level domains when the country or territory is listed on the ISO 3166-1 standard."

More information related to the development of new ccTLDs can be found in [http://www.iana.org/procedures/cctld-establishment.html IANA's Procedures for Establishing ccTLDs]. <ref>[http://www.iana.org/domains/root/cctld/ IANA ccTLD]</ref>

===IANA's Procedures for ccTLDs===

Within its database, IANA maintains authoritative information related to ccTLDs.  This includes sponsoring organizations, technical and administrative contacts, name servers, registration [[URL]]s and other such information. This type of information provides extra details regarding the IANA's procedures for maintaining the ccTLD database.

==Delegation and Redelegation==

The process through which the designated manager, or managers, is changed is known as ''redelegation''.  The redelegation process follows the provisions of [https://archive.icann.org/en/policies/icp-1-archived.htm ICP-1] and RFC 1591. IANA receives all requests of a sponsoring organization related to delegation and redelegation for the ccTLDs. The requests are then analyzed by IANA based on various technical and public criterion.  The request, accompanied by the IANA analysis, is finally sent to the [[ICANN Board|ICANN Board of Directors]] for approval or refusal. If approved, IANA is also responsible for the implementation of the request.<ref name="guide">[http://www.iana.org/domains/root/delegation-guide/ Delegation and Redelegation Guide]</ref>

Conceptually speaking, the delegation and redelegation processes are simple.  However, they can easily become complex if there are many organizations and individuals involved in the process. There is a set of steps that must be followed before sending the request for delegation or redelegation. An initial request should be developed, based on ''The Change Request Template'' and supplementary information, to prove that the eligibility criteria have been met by the initial request. All the information supplied is used by IANA to analyze the request received.<ref name="guide">[http://www.iana.org/domains/root/delegation-guide/ Delegation and Redelegation Guide]</ref>

==ccTLDs and ICANN==

The policies developed by ICANN are implemented by [[gTLD]] [[registry]] operators, ccTLD managers, root-nameserver operators and regional Internet registries. One of the main activities of ICANN is to work with other organizations involved in the technical coordination of the Internet, with the purpose of formally documenting their participatory role within the ICANN process. These organizations are committed to the ICANN policies that result from their work.

In 2000, ICANN started cooperating with ccTLD managers to document their relationship. The relationships between ICANN and ccTLD mangers are often complex. Complexities arise due to various circumstances, including the type of organization, cultural issues, economics, the legal environment, etc. Another consideration is the role of the national government in "managing or establishing policy for their own ccTLD" (role recognized in the June 1998, U.S. Government [[White Paper]]).<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/white-paper-2012-02-25-en White Paper, 2/25/2012, ICANN Resources]</ref>

In 2009, ICANN began the implementation of an [[IDN ccTLD Fast Track Process]],<ref>[http://www.idnnews.com/?p=9433 IDN News]</ref> whereby countries that use non-Latin script are able to claim ccTLDs in their native script and the corresponding Latin version. As of early 2011, 33 requests have been received, representing 22 languages.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/topics/idn/fast-track/ ICANN]</ref> More than half have already been approved.<ref>[http://www.ausregistry.com/blog/?p=342 AUSRegistry]</ref>

==Pseudo-ccTLD==

A pseudo-ccTLD mimics an official country code domain without formal recognition, often used for branding or to suggest geographical affiliation.

An '''open ccTLD''' refers to a country code top level domain name that can be registered by anyone, regardless of which country the person resides in. These ccTLDs generally  represent a particular branding opportunity aside from the name of the country or territory it represents. Examples include [[.cc]] (Cocos Island) for consulting companies, [[.tv]] (Tuvalu) for television, [[.ws]] (Western Samoa) for websites, and [[.co]] (Colombia) as an alternative to [[.com]] for companies.<ref>[http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/archived_content/people/edelman/open-cctlds/ Registrations in Open ccTLDs]</ref>  

==Current ccTLDs==

The following is a list of the current ccTLDs, including their [[registry]] operators and any special notes about registration of the domains.<ref>[http://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/ IANA Root Zone Database]</ref><ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Internet_top-level_domains#Internationalized_country_code_top-level_domains Wikipedia: List of Internet to-level domains]</ref>

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[[Category:TLD]]