Archive for the 'North America' Category

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FAQ Canada

January 17, 2009

What is a domain name?

Domain names are the familiar and easy to remember names used in lieu of the difficult to remember Internet Protocol (IP) address numbers. IP addresses are used to locate computers on the Internet.

What is the Domain Name System (DNS)?

The Internet Domain Name System consists of an organized, hierarchical directory of all domain names and their corresponding computers.

What is a top level domain?

A top level domain is used to designate the type of organization or the country of origin. Generic top level designators are commonly three letter suffixes like .com, .net, .org, .edu. Country code top level domains are commonly two letter suffixes like .ca, .us, .uk, etc., as assigned by the United Nations.

How does .ca differ from .com?

.ca is the country code Top Level domain (ccTLD) designating Canada. .com is the generic Top Level domain (gTLD) designating commercial activities. The policies and administration of the .ca domain name will be set by Canada Registry and governed by Canadian law. The gTLDs are managed in the United States under American law.

How do I modify my registration information?

To modify your registration information (DNS, technical/administrative contact, address, etc.) please contact your certified registrar.

Can I transfer my .ca registration to another organization/registrant?

Yes. To transfer your registration, please contact your registrar.

How can I retrieve my user id and password?

To retrieve your user id and password, please contact your registrar.

Do .ca registrants have portability of their domain name registrations between CIRA certified registrars?

Yes. When a registrant changes its registrar, its registration period for a domain name registration will not be changed or lost. A registrant is permitted to change its registrar of record at any time. There is a cost associated to this action.

If a domain name, which is identical or similar to my trade mark or business name, is registered by someone else, what can I do?

If another party has registered a .ca domain name that you believe infringes on your rights (or wish to register yourself for your use), you might wish to consider initiating a proceeding or pursue whatever remedies are available to you in the courts.

What are Canadian Presence Requirements?

Canadian Presence Requirements are criteria that classify Registrants according to legal status (e.g. a company vs. an individual). The legal type determines whether Registrants are eligible to register .ca domain names.

What is a legal type?

A legal type is a category that classifies Registrants’ legal status in Canada as defined in the Canadian Presence Requirements for Registrants. .ca registrants must conform to at least one legal type to meet Canadian Presence Requirements. The legal type categories are:

Canadian citizen
Permanent Resident of Canada
Legal Representative of a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Corporation (Canada or Canadian province or territory)
Trust established in Canada
Partnership Registered in Canada
Canadian Unincorporated Association
Canadian Trade Union
Canadian Political Party
Canadian Educational Institution
Canadian Library, Archive or Museum
Canadian Hospital
Her Majesty the Queen
Indian Band recognized by the Indian Act of Canada
Aboriginal Peoples (individuals and groups) indigenous to Canada
Government or government entity in Canada
Trade mark registered in Canada (by a non Canadian owner)
Official marks registered in Canada

Are all .ca domain name registrations scrutinized to determine if Registrants meet Canadian Presence Requirements?

Every domain name registration is scrutinized. The Registry may investigate and request further information from any registrant with information that does not appear to comply with its Policies, Rules and Procedures including the Canadian Presence Requirements for Registrants.

How does the Registry determine if a .ca domain name registration should be investigated?

Through electronic and manual verification of the information provided by registrants (legal type, legal registrant name and Administrative Contact information), the Registry determines if a domain name registration should be investigated to ensure it is in compliance with Canadian Presence Requirements, Policies, Rules, and Procedures.

How does the Registry investigate a domain name registration request for compliance of Canadian Presence Requirements?

The Registry may contact registrants and request that specific information relating to the Registrants’ legal status be submitted within a specified time period. If the Registry does not receive the information requested within the required time frame, the registration will be cancelled.

What type of documents is requested to confirm that Registrants meet Canadian Presence Requirements?

Depending on Registrants’ legal type, the Registry may request various types of documents, which include, but are not limited to:

Canadian Government issued photo identification (e.g. driver’s licence)
Articles of Incorporation
Registration Number of Official Mark
Registration Number of trade mark
Trade mark Documentation
Partnership agreement

What happens if Registrants fail to meet Presence Requirements?

If an individual or organization applying for a .ca domain fails to meet Canadian Presence Requirements during the registration process, the registration will be terminated and any associated domain names will be cancelled.

Dot-ca Internet Registrations Continue to Climb

January 17, 2009

Internet domain name registrations bearing the distinctive Canadian dot ca Internet country code Top Level Domain continue to climb at a record pace. The Canadian Internet Registration Authority recorded a 50% rise in the number of dot ca registrations in under two years.

“The phenomenal growth of dot ca registrations is the result of increased awareness of the value of dot ca and the trust Canadians place in it,” says Bernard Turcotte, President and CEO of the Ottawa based Canadian Internet Registration Authority. “Dot ca still offers the best opportunity to get the domain name you want when compared with the larger dot com registry.”

“Dot ca is reserved for Canadians and defines an organization or individual who meets Canadian presence requirements,” explains Mr. Turcotte.

Register Requirements and Criteria USA

January 17, 2009

Registrants in the usTLD must be either:

  • A natural person who is a United States citizen, who is a permanent resident of the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories, or whose primary place of domicile is in the United States of America or any of its possessions [Nexus Category 1],
  • A United States entity or organization that is incorporated within one of the fifty (50) U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or any of the United States possessions or territories, or organized or otherwise constituted under the laws of a state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia or any of its possessions or territories (including a federal, state, or local government of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, and non commercial organizations based in the United States) [Nexus Category 2], or
  • A foreign entity or organization that has a bona fide presence in the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories [Nexus Category 3].

Prospective Registrants will certify that they have bona fide presence in the United States on the basis of real and substantial lawful connections with, or lawful activities in, the United States of America.

This requirement is intended to ensure that only those individuals or organizations that have a substantive lawful connection to the United States are permitted to register for usTLD domain names.

It shall be a continuing requirement that all usTLD domain name Registrants remain in compliance. To implement the Nexus requirement, the Registry will: Require that Registrars certify that they enforce the Nexus requirement upon their Registrants, and that Registrars require Registrants to certify that they meet the Nexus requirement.

Conduct a scan of selected registration request information. Conduct spot check on Registrant information.

Information Collected From Registrants

To register a name, Registrants (through their Registrars) will be required to provide basic registration information to the Registry. The minimum required information is:

  1. The domain name registered
  2. The IP address and corresponding names of the primary and secondary name servers for the registered name
  3. The Registrar name and URL or, where appropriate, the identity of the delegated manager under whom the name is registered
  4. The original creation date and term of the registration
  5. The name and postal address of the domain name Registrant
  6. The name, postal address, e mail address, voice telephone number, and (where available) fax number of the name holder for the name registered
  7. The name, postal address, e mail address, voice telephone number, and (where available) fax number of the technical contact for the name registered, and
  8. The name, postal address, e mail address, voice telephone number, and (where available) fax number of the administrative contact for the name registered.

In addition to the above information, Registrants will be required to provide certain additional Nexus information to their Registrars.

Except where it is noted below that a registration will be rejected if information is missing, failure of a registration to satisfy the Nexus requirement will result in the name being placed upon a 30 day hold, during which time the Registrar will be notified and given the opportunity to correct the information with the Registrant.

If no action is taken by the Registrar within the 30 day period, the registration will be cancelled and the name will be returned to available status. The registration fee will not be refunded. If, on the other hand, the Registrar is able to demonstrate compliance with the requirement and the information is corrected, the hold will be released and the name will be registered. Certification that Registrant satisfies Nexus requirement if not completed, then registration will be rejected.

Basis for compliance (Nexus Category 1, 2, or 3) if not completed, then registration will be rejected;
Certification that the listed name servers are located within the United States if not completed, then registration will be rejected

Nexus Category 1

  1. A natural person
  2. who is a United States citizen,
  3. who is a permanent resident of the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories, or

whose primary place of domicile is in the United States of America or any of its possessions. Statement of citizenship or legal permanent residency required. If not completed,  registration will be rejected.

Nexus Category 2

United States entity or organization that is:

  • Incorporated within one of the fifty (50) U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or any of the United States possessions or territories, or
  • organized or otherwise constituted under the laws of a state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia or any of its possessions or (including a federal, state, or local government of the United States, or a political subdivision there of, and non commercial organizations based in the United States).

Nexus Category 3

A foreign entity or organization that has a bona fide presence in the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories. Applicant must state country of citizenship.

Applicant must also (1) regularly engage in lawful activities (sales of goods or services or other business, commercial or non commercial including not for profit activities) in the United States; or (2) maintain an office or other property within the United States.

Category 3 Nexus Certification

Prospective Registrants will certify compliance with Category 3 Nexus based upon substantial lawful contacts with, or lawful activities in, the United States.

Factors that should be considered in determining whether an entity or organization has a bona fide presence in the United States shall include, without limitation, whether such prospective usTLD domain name Registrant:

Regularly performs lawful activities within the United States related to the purposes for which the entity or organization is constituted (e.g., selling goods or providing services to customers, conducting regular training activities, attending conferences), provided such activities are not conducted solely or primarily to permit it to register for a usTLD domain name and are lawful under the laws and regulations of the

United States and satisfy policies for the usTLD, including policies approved and/or mandated by the DoC; Maintains an office or other facility in the United States for a lawful business, noncommercial, educational or governmental purpose, and not solely or primarily to permit it to register for a usTLD domain name.

Registration Process USA

January 17, 2009

Purchasing a .US Domain Name in the Expanded Space

(for example, mycompany.us)

.US domain names in the expanded space may be purchased directly through any of the Registry.US Accredited Registrars

Registering a .US Domain Name in the Locality Space

(for example, mycompany.new york.ny.us)

Registration of locality based names are subject to the specific requirements and restrictions of the Delegated Manager for that locality.

FAQ USA

January 17, 2009

What is .US?

.US is United States Internet Address. It is the official country code top level domain (ccTLD) for the United States within the global domain name system (DNS).

What makes .US unique and why do I need it?

.US is the only means of establishing a North American address on the Internet.
Now, all U.S. residents, government entities, public service organizations, and businesses can establish a North American identity on the Internet with a short memorable domain name (e.g. johnsmith.us, publicservice.us, mycompany.us).

Market research has shown that .US names are very popular with consumers for applications like email, digital identity, and personal web sites.

Government and public interest organizations use .US addresses to enable citizen centric e Gov applications and to serve the needs of the North American people.

Finally, businesses use .US domain names to promote themselves as North American companies to inspire consumer confidence and to encourage consumers to ebuy North American.

Who can register a .US domain name?

Any U.S. citizen or resident, as well as any business or organization, including federal, state, and local government with a bona fide presence in the United States can register a .US domain name.

One of the following eligibility requirements must be met:

  • A natural person (i) who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories or (ii) whose primary place of domicile is in the United States of America or any of its possessions, or
  • Any entity or organization that is incorporated within one of the fifty (50) U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or any of the United States possessions or territories or (ii) organized or otherwise constituted under the laws of a state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, or any of its possessions or territories, or
  • An entity or organization (including federal, state, or local government of the United States, or a political subdivision thereof) that has a bona fide presence in the United States. See Section B.3.1 of the NeuStar proposal to the Department of Commerce for details concerning what constitutes a “bona fide presence

Now that I have my .US domain name, how and when can I send and receive emails using my new .US address?

Most retail providers of web addresses also provide email services. Your personalized .US email account can typically be (1) set up during the registration process when you register your domain name, or (2) added to your account afterward at the retailer’s website.

Where can I register a second level .US domain name?

Second level domain name registrations are available through .US accredited Registrars and their resale channel partners.

How do I transfer my .US domain name?

Domain name transfers fall in one of two categories:

  1. Registrant Transfer or Name Change: Each Registrar has unique requirements for making changes to the registrant field of a domain name. Registrants must contact the sponsoring Registrar for information regarding Registrant Name Changes and/or Transfers.
  2. Registrar to Registrar Transfer: .US Registry rules require that a domain name be registered for a minimum of 60 days, and be in PAID status with the current sponsoring Registrar before it can be transferred to another Registrar. If your domain name meets these requirements, contact your current sponsoring Registrar.

What is a reserved name?

A reserved name is a name that is not available for general public registration, but rather is subject to additional rules, restrictions or processes.

Why are .US names reserved?

Names are reserved to protect important local and national naming resources to reserve spaces within .US for future enhancement of the domain and to protect technical Internet interoperability. Policy changes relative to the reserved list are subject to Department of Commerce review and approval prior to implementation.

How long will it take to process my contact or name server change request?

If all information is filled out correctly and we have received the authorized documents, these are generally processed in 3 to 5 business days.

Which locality domains are included in the .US WHOIS?

Second , third , fourth , fifth and sixth level domain names are included.

What is Pending Delete Status?

All domains that are deleted are initially placed on Pending Delete status before being purged from the Registry database and made available for registration.

The exceptions to this rule are domains that are deleted with the first 5 days of the initial registration. These domains will not be placed on Pending Delete and will be purged immediately.

Domains will remain on Pending Delete status for a period of 35 days before being purged, unless they are “redeemed” by the registrar. This period is known as the Redemption Grace Period.

What is the Redemption Grace Period (RGP)?

The Redemption Grace Period is the 35 days following the deletion of a domain. The purpose of RGP is to allow registrars and/or registrants to correct for inadvertent deletions.

During the first 30 days of the Redemption Grace Period, registrars may request the Registry to redeem the deleted domain, and thus restore it to its original disposition prior to deletion.

Redemptions may NOT be performed during the final 5 days of the RGP. The whois record will indicate if the domain is eligible for redemption. Domains that are eligible will be marked “Pending Delete (restorable)”. “Ineligible domains will have the status “Pending Delete (scheduled for release)”. All redemption requests must be submitted through your registrar.