.ru
.ru is the ccTLD for Russia. It is managed by the Coordination Center for TLD RU.[1]
Delegation History[edit | edit source]
The management of the .ru ccTLD was initially handled by the Russian Institute for Public Networks (RIPN) after it was commissioned by the largest internet service providers in Russia in 1993. These ISPs signed a compromise agreement on the terms and conditions on how to manage the .ru ccTLD. They also established a coordination group composed of 28 experts from telecommunication companies and academic networks to create registration policies for the ccTLD. In 1999, the Coordination Group for .ru ccTLD decided to transfer the responsibility of registering second level domain names from the RIPN to independent accredited registrars. RIPN remained the manager of the technical operations of the .ru ccTLD. In 2001, the RU Center became the first registrar, a subsidiary of RIPN. Garant-Park-Telecom was the second accredited registrar for .ru ccTLD.[2]
In 2001, the Coordination Center for TLD RU (CC for TLD RU) was created by the Regional Nongovernmental Center of Internet Technologies, Union of Internet Operators and the Association of Documental Telecommunications. These are public organizations in Russia that represent the interests of Internet users, operators of communication services, government agencies and entrepreneurs. Since its establishment, the Coordination Center for TLD RU has been responsible for accrediting registrars for the .ru ccTLD. In 2002, all the responsibilities of the Coordination Group for .ru ccTLD were transferred to Coordination Center for TLD RU. RIPN handles the technical functions including the maintenance of the database of registered domain names, providing technical support for .ru ccTLD and the domain name system (DNS) of Russia.[2]
On January 4, 2006, the .ru ccTLD was officially delegated to the CC for TLD RU by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).[3]
Rules and Restrictions[edit | edit source]
.ru is an Open Use ccTLD. There are no restrictions for foreign individuals or legal entities when it comes to registering domain names. Nationals or organizations from any country can apply for domains.[4]
It is recommended that the applicant ensures that there are no trademarks, brand names, or other intellectual property, names of non-profit organizations or government bodies that are similar to the domain name submitted for registration. Also, domain names that include words at odds with the public interests, the principles of humanity or morality (in particular, obscene words, hate slogans that insult human dignity or religious or other beliefs) may not be registered.[5]
Characters[edit | edit source]
A .ru domain name label must:
- contain at least two characters;
- contain no more than sixty three characters;
- begin and end with a letter or a digit;
- contain no characters other than letters, figures and hyphens (only the Roman alphabet is allowed; there is no differentiation between uppercase and lowercase letters);
- contain no hyphens in the third and fourth positions at the same time.[5]