.info
Encyclopedia
The domain name info is a generic top-level domain
(gTLD) in the Domain Name System
(DNS) of the Internet
, The name is derived from information indicating that the domain is intended for informative Internet resources, although registration requirements do not prescribe any theme orientation.
The info TLD was a response to ICANN
's highly publicized announcement, in late 2000, of a phased release of seven new generic top-level domain
s. The event was the first addition of major gTLDs since the Domain Name System was developed in the 1980s. The seven new gTLDs, selected from over 180 proposals, were meant in part to take the pressure off the com
domain.
The info domain has been the most successful of the seven new domain names, with over 5.2 million domain names in the registry as of April 2008. In addition, over 1.6 million info websites are in active use with unique content. After the September 11, 2001 attacks
in the United States, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
of New York switched to the easier to remember mta.info website to lead users to latest information on schedules and route changes on the area's transportation services. ICANN and Afilias have also sealed an agreement for country names to be reserved by ICANN under resolution 01.92.
Info is an unrestricted domain, meaning that anyone can obtain a second-level domain under info for any purpose, similar to the com
, net
or org
domains. This is in contrast to TLDs such as edu
or coop
. Info is the only top-level domain that was explicitly created and chartered for unrestricted use, though various other TLDs became that way as a de facto situation. Info stands for information in about 37 languages, and is a neutral name.
Afilias
, the registry operator of both the info and aero
top-level domains, has been aggressive in its marketing of the domain, with significant registrar incentives and outreach events.
since its creation. In 2003, it was the first gTLD domain to support IETF standards-based internationalized domain names. Registrations are processed via accredited registrars.
The launching of info involved a "Sunrise Period
" for trademark owners, followed by a "landrush" open to all, the first time such a process had ever been conducted for a new gTLD. This process received criticism for giving trademarks precedence over words that are generic in other contexts; for instance, the Caterpillar construction equipment company was able to register cat.info before more generic users, such as feline enthusiasts, were allowed to register.
Although a large number of fraudulent registrations were initially made by registrants who did not actually own a valid trademark, a challenge procedure later weeded out most of these.
In a controversial move, prior to launch, the names of countries were reserved from registration at the request of ICANN
, to the consternation of those who had paid pre-registration fees to attempt to register these names in the landrush. ICANN
's Governmental Advisory Committee, composed of country representatives from around the world applauded the move, the first by any major domain to protect the alleged national interests of sovereign nations.
Generic top-level domain
A generic top-level domain is one of the categories of top-level domains maintained by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority for use in the Domain Name System of the Internet....
(gTLD) in the Domain Name System
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
(DNS) of the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, The name is derived from information indicating that the domain is intended for informative Internet resources, although registration requirements do not prescribe any theme orientation.
The info TLD was a response to ICANN
ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is a non-profit corporation headquartered in Marina del Rey, California, United States, that was created on September 18, 1998, and incorporated on September 30, 1998 to oversee a number of Internet-related tasks previously performed directly...
's highly publicized announcement, in late 2000, of a phased release of seven new generic top-level domain
Top-level domain
A top-level domain is one of the domains at the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System of the Internet. The top-level domain names are installed in the root zone of the name space. For all domains in lower levels, it is the last part of the domain name, that is, the last label of a...
s. The event was the first addition of major gTLDs since the Domain Name System was developed in the 1980s. The seven new gTLDs, selected from over 180 proposals, were meant in part to take the pressure off the com
.com
The domain name com is a generic top-level domain in the Domain Name System of the Internet. Its name is derived from commercial, indicating its original intended purpose for domains registered by commercial organizations...
domain.
The info domain has been the most successful of the seven new domain names, with over 5.2 million domain names in the registry as of April 2008. In addition, over 1.6 million info websites are in active use with unique content. After the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
in the United States, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
of New York switched to the easier to remember mta.info website to lead users to latest information on schedules and route changes on the area's transportation services. ICANN and Afilias have also sealed an agreement for country names to be reserved by ICANN under resolution 01.92.
Info is an unrestricted domain, meaning that anyone can obtain a second-level domain under info for any purpose, similar to the com
.com
The domain name com is a generic top-level domain in the Domain Name System of the Internet. Its name is derived from commercial, indicating its original intended purpose for domains registered by commercial organizations...
, net
.net
The domain name net is a generic top-level domain used in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The name is derived from network, indicating its originally intended purpose for organizations involved in networking technologies, such as Internet service providers and other infrastructure companies...
or org
.org
The domain name org is a generic top-level domain of the Domain Name System used in the Internet. The name is derived from organization....
domains. This is in contrast to TLDs such as edu
.edu
The domain name edu is a sponsored top-level domain in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The "domain is intended for accredited post-secondary educational U.S. institutions" and this intention is strictly enforced....
or coop
.coop
The domain coop is a sponsored top-level domain in the Domain Name System of the Internet. It is intended for the use of cooperatives, wholly owned subsidiaries, and other organizations that exist to promote or support co-operatives....
. Info is the only top-level domain that was explicitly created and chartered for unrestricted use, though various other TLDs became that way as a de facto situation. Info stands for information in about 37 languages, and is a neutral name.
Afilias
Afilias
Afilias Limited is the registry operator of the .info and .mobi Top-level domain, and the service provider of the .org generic top-level domain , .asia TLD catering to the Asia, Australia, and Pacific regions, .aero Airline and Aviation Industry TLD, and a provider of domain name registry services...
, the registry operator of both the info and aero
.aero
.aero is a generic top-level domain used in the Domain Name System of the Internet. It is the first sponsored top-level domain based on a single industrial theme. The aero domain is reserved for companies, organizations, associations, government agencies, and individuals in aviation-related...
top-level domains, has been aggressive in its marketing of the domain, with significant registrar incentives and outreach events.
History
The info domain has been operated by AfiliasAfilias
Afilias Limited is the registry operator of the .info and .mobi Top-level domain, and the service provider of the .org generic top-level domain , .asia TLD catering to the Asia, Australia, and Pacific regions, .aero Airline and Aviation Industry TLD, and a provider of domain name registry services...
since its creation. In 2003, it was the first gTLD domain to support IETF standards-based internationalized domain names. Registrations are processed via accredited registrars.
The launching of info involved a "Sunrise Period
Sunrise Period
A sunrise period is a period of time after the launch of a new top-level domain or second-level domain during which owners of trademarks may register a domain name containing the owned mark....
" for trademark owners, followed by a "landrush" open to all, the first time such a process had ever been conducted for a new gTLD. This process received criticism for giving trademarks precedence over words that are generic in other contexts; for instance, the Caterpillar construction equipment company was able to register cat.info before more generic users, such as feline enthusiasts, were allowed to register.
Although a large number of fraudulent registrations were initially made by registrants who did not actually own a valid trademark, a challenge procedure later weeded out most of these.
In a controversial move, prior to launch, the names of countries were reserved from registration at the request of ICANN
ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is a non-profit corporation headquartered in Marina del Rey, California, United States, that was created on September 18, 1998, and incorporated on September 30, 1998 to oversee a number of Internet-related tasks previously performed directly...
, to the consternation of those who had paid pre-registration fees to attempt to register these names in the landrush. ICANN
ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is a non-profit corporation headquartered in Marina del Rey, California, United States, that was created on September 18, 1998, and incorporated on September 30, 1998 to oversee a number of Internet-related tasks previously performed directly...
's Governmental Advisory Committee, composed of country representatives from around the world applauded the move, the first by any major domain to protect the alleged national interests of sovereign nations.
External links
- Afilias website
- .info Registry Agreement with ICANN
- .info accredited registrar
- List of .info accredited registrars
- Domebase, a site with commentary and studies regarding the .info launch