Changes

{{CompanyInfo|

{{Actor

| logo            = AfiliasLogo.png

| bronzesponsor = ICANNWiki [[Sponsorship|Bronze Sponsor]]

| type           = Private

| industry       = Registry, Registrar

| founded         = 2000  

|issue areas=DNS

|Logo=AfiliasLogo.png

|membersponsor=ICANNWiki [[Sponsorship|Member]]

| headquarters   = 2 La Touche House<br/>IFSC<br/>Dublin 1

|type=Private

|industry=Registry, Registrar

| businesses     = [[mTLD Top Level Domain Ltd.]],

|founded=2000

|headquarters=300 Welsh Rd<br />Building 3, Suite 105<br /> Horsham, PA 19044

| employees       = 150 <ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/companies/afilias Afilias on LinkedIn]</ref>

|businesses=[[mTLD Top Level Domain Ltd.]],

|employees=200 <ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/companies/afilias Afilias on LinkedIn]</ref>

|twitter=Afilias

|keypeople=[[Hal Lubsen]], CEO<br>

[[Huw Spiers]], Chief Financial Officer<br />

| twitter         = Afilias

| keypeople       = [[Hal Lubsen]], CEO<br>

[[Ram Mohan]], EVP and CTO<br>

[[Ram Mohan]], EVP and CTO<br>

[[Roland LaPlante]], SVP and CMO<br>

[[Roland LaPlante]], SVP and CMO<br>

[[Steven Pack]], Compliance officer <br>

[[Steven Pack]], Compliance officer <br>

[[M. Scott Hemphill]], VP and General Counsel<br>

[[M. Scott Hemphill]], VP and General Counsel<br>

[[Chris Campbell]], Director of Business Development<br>

[[Chris Campbell]], Director of Business Development<br>

[[Kroopa Shah]], Accounts Manager

[[Kroopa Shah]], Accounts Manager<br>

}}

}}

Afilias also supports the technical back-end of man [[TLD]]s, including 9 [[gTLD]]s, the largest of which is [[.org]].<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120117_afilias_acquires_registry_services_corporation_dot_pro/ Afilias acquires Services Corporation dot Pro], CircleID.com. Published 2012 January 17.</ref><ref>[http://domainincite.com/afilias-acquires-pro-operator-registrypro/ Afilias Acquires .Pro Operator RegistryPro]. Domain Incite.</ref>  In total, their systems currently support more than 20 million registrations.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120612_afilias_bringing_hundreds_of_new_top_level_domains_to_the_internet/ Afilias Bringing Hundreds of New Top Level Domains to the Internet], CircleID.com Published 2012 June 12.</ref>

 

Afilias also supports the technical back-end of 17 [[TLD]]s, including 7 [[gTLD]]s, the largest of which being [[.org]].<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120117_afilias_acquires_registry_services_corporation_dot_pro/ Afilias acquires Services Corporation dot Pro, CircleID.com]</ref><ref>[http://domainincite.com/afilias-acquires-pro-operator-registrypro/ Afilias Acquires .Pro Operator RegistryPro, domainincite.com]</ref>  In total, their systems currently support more than 20 million registrations.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120612_afilias_bringing_hundreds_of_new_top_level_domains_to_the_internet/ Afilias Brining Hundreds of New Top Level Domains to the Internet, CircleID.com]</ref>

==Background ==

==Background ==

The headquarters of Afilias is located in Horsham, Pennsylvania, USA. They have a large number of offices worldwide, including their former headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, operational offices in New Delhi, India, an operations center in Toronto, Canada, and sales offices in London, U.K. Afilias Canada Corp also includes operational facilities in Ontario and sales offices in Vancouver.<ref>[http://www.afilias.info/contact-us/offices Info], Afilias.info.</ref>

 

The headquarters of Afilias is located in Dublin. They have a large number of offices worldwide, including operational offices in New Delhi, India, an operations center in Toronto, Canada, American offices in Philadelphia, and sales offices in London, U.K. Afilias Canada Corp also includes operational facilities in Ontario and sales offices in Vancouver.<ref>[http://www.afilias.info/contact-us/offices Afilias Info]</ref>

Afilias is the second largest domain services provider after [[Verisign]], supporting over 14 million domain names, as of January 2008.<ref>[http://www.osbr.ca/ojs/index.php/osbr/article/view/1142/1093 Osbr.ca]</ref>

Afilias is the second largest domain services provider after [[Verisign]], supporting over 14 million domain names, as of January 2008.<ref>[http://www.osbr.ca/ojs/index.php/osbr/article/view/1142/1093 Osbr.ca]</ref>

===.info 10 year Anniversary===

===.info 10 year Anniversary===

On December 7th, 2010, Afilias released its annual report on [[.info]] domains, which happened to coincide with the domain space's 10 year anniversary. The report detailed the general growth and increased availability of the domain; at that time it was the number one new [[TLD]] to ever be launched, and the 7th largest TLD in the world. It stood at about 6.8 million domain registrations, with about 5 million of those, or 70%, resolving to active websites. They are available through 90% of domain registrars, and the entire registration grew about 30% from the year before. It had double the registration of any other new TLD.<ref>[http://www.info.info/content/afilias-releases-info-domain-2010-annual-report Afilias Releases info Domain 2010 Annual Report]</ref>

On December 7th, 2010, Afilias released its annual report on [[.info]] domains, which happened to coincide with the domain space's 10-year anniversary. The report detailed the general growth and increased availability of the domain. At that time, it was the number one new [[TLD]] to ever be launched, and the 7th largest TLD in the world. It stood at about 6.8 million domain registrations, with about 5 million of those, or 70%, resolving to active websites. They are available through 90% of domain registrars, and the entire registration grew about 30% from the year before. It had double the registration of any other new TLD.<ref>[http://www.info.info/content/afilias-releases-info-domain-2010-annual-report Afilias Releases info Domain 2010 Annual Report], Info.info.</ref>

In 2012 and 2013, Afilias teamed up with [[GoDaddy]] to auction off domains that had been reserved under its Sunrise periods but whose trademarks later proved to be invalid. The first round of auctions produced highlights such as Cancer.info, sold for $16,005, and loans.info, sold for $12,205. Together both auctions include over 235 domain names.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2013/01/08/afilias-and-go-daddy-to-hold-second-info-auction/ Afilias and Go Daddy To Hold Second Info Auction, DomainNameWire.com]Published 8 Jan 2013, Retrieved 9 Jan 2013</ref>

== Products and services ==

== Products and services ==

Afilias is a domain service provider and a domain registrar.  

Afilias is a domain service provider and a domain registrar.  

'''Service provider for the following [[TLD]]s:'''<ref>[http://www.afilias.info/global-registry-services Global Registry Services, Afilias.info]</ref>

'''Service provider for the following [[TLD]]s:'''<ref>[http://www.afilias.info/global-registry-services Global Registry Services]. Afilias.</ref>

 

* [[.vc]]    (Saint Vincent & Grenadine)

* [[.vc]]    (Saint Vincent & Grenadine)

* [[.sc]]    (Seychelles)  

* [[.sc]]    (Seychelles)  

* [[.xxx]] ([[gTLD]])

* [[.xxx]] ([[gTLD]])

* [[.post]] ([[gTLD]] for the postal union)

* [[.post]] ([[gTLD]] for the postal union)

===Registration Stats===

===Developments===

In January, 20111, Afilias announced that the 3-month old [[.xxx]] extension had over 200,000 registrations, which were being technically supported by Afilias. However, more than half of these were not signed into the [[Root Zone|root zone]], meaning that many of the registrations were [[Defensive Registration|defensive acquisitions]] by trademark owners, or  pre-blocked domains by [[ICM Registry]] that will never be resolving domains.<ref>[http://www.thedomains.com/2012/01/18/afilias-xxx-breaks-200k-domains-under-management-a-look-inside-the-numbers/ Afilias XXX 200k Domains Under Management a Look Inside the Numbers, TheDomains.com]</ref>

In July 2013, [[Afilias]] requested that [[ICANN]] lift the restrictions set out in its Registry Agreements for .pro and .mobi that forbids Afilias from owning more than a 15% share in the registrar company that sells the TLDs.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/13911-afilias-wants-registrar-ownership-ban-lifted-on-mobi-and-pro Afilias Wants Registrar ownership bands lifted, Domain Incite] Retrieved 19 Sept 2013</ref>

==Other==

==Other==

In October, 2011 Afilias announced that it would be holding a contest to find the best new [[gTLD]] idea. The top prize would be $5,000 with other prizes going down to $1,500. Judges of the contest included [[Kevin Murphy]] of [[Domain Incite]], former ICANN CEO [[Paul Twomey]], and Aflias' own [[Roland LaPlante]] and [[Ram Mohan]].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/win-5000-for-your-new-gtld-idea/ Win 5,000 for your new gTLD idea]</ref>

In October 2011, Afilias announced that it would be holding a contest to find the best new [[gTLD]] idea. The top prize would be $5,000 with other prizes going down to $1,500. Judges of the contest included [[Kevin Murphy]] of [[Domain Incite]], former ICANN CEO [[Paul Twomey]], and Aflias' own [[Roland LaPlante]] and [[Ram Mohan]].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/win-5000-for-your-new-gtld-idea/ Win 5,000 for your new gTLD idea], DomainIncite.com.</ref>

The winning extension was [[.know]], which was billed as a platform for an online knowledge base. The two runners up were [[.sec]], for secure websites and file transfers, and [[.med]], for verified medical professionals.<ref>[http://www.afilias.info/blogs/roland-laplante/here-are-winners-afilias-global-innovation-contest-new-tld-ideas Here Are the Winners, afilias.info/blogs]</ref>

The winning extension was [[.know]], which was billed as a platform for an online knowledge base. The two runners up were [[.sec]], for secure websites and file transfers, and [[.med]], for verified medical professionals.<ref>[http://www.afilias.info/blogs/roland-laplante/here-are-winners-afilias-global-innovation-contest-new-tld-ideas Here Are the Winners], Afilias.info.</ref>

In December, 2011, Afilias publicly warned brand owners that it could be ten years after the first new gTLD application period opens in January, 2011, before a second round is opened. Afilias cited the [[batching]] and delay process that will surely follow, and also the typically slow [[ICANN]] process.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/02/afilias-could-be-10-years-before-another-new-tld-application-round-opens/ Afilias Coud Be 10 years Before Another new TLD Application Round Opens, DomainNameWire.com]</ref>

In December 2011, Afilias publicly warned brand owners that it could be ten years after the first new gTLD application period opens in January 2011, before a second round is opened. Afilias cited the [[batching]] and delay process that will surely follow, and also the typically slow [[ICANN]] process.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2011/12/02/afilias-could-be-10-years-before-another-new-tld-application-round-opens/ Afilias Coud Be 10 years Before Another new TLD Application Round Opens], DomainNameWire.com. Published 2011 December 2.</ref>

===ISOC Sponsorship===

===ISOC Sponsorship===

===Opposition to SOPA===

===Opposition to SOPA===

In January, 2012, Afilias put a sponsored post on [[CircleID]] highlighting their opposition to [[SOPA]], the Stop Online Piracy Act being considered by the U.S. Congress, and the reasons behind it. They noted that they do support [[Intellectual Property|intellectual property]] protections, but sill regard SOPA as a threat to the integrity of the Internet. Their reasons for opposing SOPA include: the threat it poses to [[DNSSEC]], given that ISPs would suddenly be required to interrupt the security protocol's chain of command to block or suspend domains in violation of its copyright protections; the ease at which a user could still resolve a blocked site, given that it would be the local ISP's responsibility to block infringing domains; and the many opportunities and loopholes the legislation would create for Internet criminals.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120107_afilias_says_no_to_sopa/ Afilias Says No To SOPA, CircleID.com]</ref>

In January 2012, Afilias put a sponsored post on [[CircleID]] highlighting their opposition to [[SOPA]], the Stop Online Piracy Act being considered by the U.S. Congress at that time. They noted that they do support [[Intellectual Property|intellectual property]] protections, but still regard SOPA as a threat to the integrity of the Internet. Their reasons for opposing SOPA include: the threat it poses to [[DNSSEC]], given that [[ISP]]s would suddenly be required to interrupt the security protocol's chain of command to block or suspend domains in violation of its copyright protections; the ease at which a user could still resolve a blocked site, given that it would be the local ISP's responsibility to block infringing domains; and the many opportunities and loopholes the legislation would create for Internet criminals.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120107_afilias_says_no_to_sopa/ Afilias Says No To SOPA], CircleID.com. Published 2012 January 7.</ref>

== Interesting facts about Afilias ==

== Interesting facts about Afilias ==

On October 29, 2010, Afilias and the National Information Technology Center of Jordan announced that, thanks to Afilias' [[IDN]] technology, the .jo registry managed to send an e-mail between two completely internationalized e-mail addresses in the Arabic language.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/10/29/prwebprweb4719214.DTL Afilias and .JO Registry Bring Native Language E-mail to Arabic Internet Users], SFGate.com. Published 2010 October 29.</ref>

 

On October 29, 2010, Afilias and the National Information Technology Center of Jordan announced that, thanks to Afilias' [[IDN]] technology, the .JO registry managed to send an e-mail between two completely internationalized e-mail addresses in the Arabic language.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/10/29/prwebprweb4719214.DTL Afilias and .JO Registry Bring Native Language E-mail to Arabic Internet Users]</ref>

'''Increased DNS security thanks to Afilias'''

'''Increased DNS security thanks to Afilias'''

 

Afilias has managed to implement [[DNSSEC]] for many of its [[ccTLD]]s and [[gTLD]]s. Its [[.org]] [[TLD]] was secured with DNSSEC in 2009, making it the first open TLD to implement these important security measures.<ref>[http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/060209_Afilias_Secures_org_TLD_with_DNSSE], TheWhir.com. Published 2009 June 2.</ref>  On October 5th, 2010 it initiated the new security measures for [[.vc]] (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), [[.lc]] (St. Lucia), [[.hn]] (Honduras), [[.bz]] (Belize) and [[.ag]] (Antigua and Barbuda).<ref>[http://www.myhostnews.com/2010/10/afilias-increases-dns-security-with-dnssec/ Afilias Increases DNS Security with DNSSEC], MyHostNews.com. Published 2010 October.</ref> It has continued to transition to DNSSEC secured TLDs.

Afilias has managed to implement [[DNSSEC]] for many of its [[ccTLD]]s and [[gTLD]]s. Its [[.org]] [[TLD]] was secured with DNSSEC in 2009, making it the first open TLD to implement these important security measures.<ref>[http://www.thewhir.com/web-hosting-news/060209_Afilias_Secures_org_TLD_with_DNSSEC The Whir]</ref>  On October 5th, 2010 it initiated the new security measures for [[.vc]] (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), [[.lc]] (St. Lucia), [[.hn]] (Honduras), [[.bz]] (Belize) and [[.ag]] (Antigua and Barbuda).<ref>[http://www.myhostnews.com/2010/10/afilias-increases-dns-security-with-dnssec/ Afilias Increases DNS Security with DNSSEC]</ref> It has continued to transition to DNSSEC secured TLDs.

==New gTLDs==

==New gTLDs==

In November, 2011, Afilias announced that it was going to apply for both simplified and traditional chinese [[IDN]]s for the translation of its [[.info]] domain under [[ICANN]]'s new [[gTLD]] policy. This followed an announcement by their competitor [[Verisign]] that they intended to pursue IDN translations of their own [[.com]] domain.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/afilias-to-apply-for-chinese-info/ Afilias to Apply for Chinese .info, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

In November 2011, Afilias announced that it was going to apply for both simplified and traditional Chinese [[IDN]]s for the translation of its [[.info]] domain under [[ICANN]]'s new [[gTLD]] policy. This followed an announcement by their competitor [[Verisign]] that they intended to pursue IDN translations of their own [[.com]] domain.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/afilias-to-apply-for-chinese-info/ Afilias to Apply for Chinese .info], DomainIncite.com</ref>

On June 12, 2012, the company confirmed its application for a total of 305 new gTLDs; 170 of the applications are [[Brand TLD]]s, 18 [[IDN]]s, 4 [[Community gTLD]]s, 4 [[GeoTLD|geographical TLDs]], and the remaining 211 TLDs were applied for as [[gTLD|Generic TLDs]]. [[Roland LaPlante]], Afilias Senior Vice President and CMO, said that the company's gTLD applications are more concentrated on European strings since the company is based in the region, though its applications come also come from North America and the Asia Pacific<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120612_afilias_bringing_hundreds_of_new_top_level_domains_to_the_internet/ Afilias Bringing Hundreds of New Top-Level Domains to the Internet]</ref>

On June 12, 2012, the company confirmed its application for a total of 305 new gTLDs; 170 of the applications are [[Brand TLD]]s, 18 [[IDN]]s, 4 [[Community gTLD]]s, 4 [[GeoTLD|geographical TLDs]], and the remaining 211 TLDs were applied for as [[gTLD|Generic TLDs]]. [[Roland LaPlante]], Afilias Senior Vice President and CMO, said that the company's gTLD applications are more concentrated on European strings since the company is based in the region, though its clients also come from North America and the Asia Pacific.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/20120612_afilias_bringing_hundreds_of_new_top_level_domains_to_the_internet/ Afilias Bringing Hundreds of New Top-Level Domains to the Internet], CircleID.com. Published 2012 June 12.</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

 

<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">{{reflist}}</div>

{{reflist}}

== External links ==

== External links ==

* [http://www.afilias.info/ Afilias website]

* [http://www.afilias.info/ Afilias Website]

* [http://www.afilias.info/about-us About Afilias]

* [http://www.afilias.info/about-us About Afilias]

[[Category: Companies]]

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[[Category: Registries]]

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