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Introduction
Name
"Ownership"
People usually refer to "owning" a domain name.
Actually, this is not true, because proper registration
grants the right to use the domain-name exclusively, but
not to own it. This is similar to the practice whereby a
radio or television station has the right to broadcast
locally on specific frequencies, but does not
"own" them. The Federal Communications
Commission grants a license for their specific use.
Registration
Originally the National Science Foundation (NSF) handled
Internet IP address and domain-name registration. Today,
Network Solutions, Inc. of Herndon, VA, is the official
registrar of domain-names for the Internet's .com, .org,
.net, .edu and .gov domains. Under its contract with the
NSF, its domain-name registrations are done by NSI
through InterNIC (the Internet Network Information
Center).
InterNIC
InterNIC's tasks include registering domain names,
maintaining the master domain-name registration database,
and building and distributing the master domain-name
files to the Internet's root zone servers. When anyone on
the Internet requests a particular domain, an Internet
root zone server points and connects to that host server
(computer) where the domain is stored or hosted. In
addition to creating a domain in the first place,
registering domain names also includes the responsibility
for changing, deleting and re-registering them. Domain
names do not exist until one is requested from InterNIC.
Transferring a domain name from one party to another
consists of first deleting the name and then immediately
re-registering it. This is done by using InterNIC
templates available on line (rs.internic.net/templates/
domain-template.txt). Since deleting a domain name makes
it available for another person, Delete and Add templates
are to be submitted together so InterNIC can process them
sequentially.
Limitations on name
usage
The only limitation placed on the right to use a domain
name in the .com, .org, and .net domains is payment to
InterNIC of a $100 fee for the first two years and $50
per year thereafter. The NSF contract with NSI to run
InterNIC expires in 1998, so fees may change.
Hosting Services
There are many companies available to "host" a
domain with a designated name at a cost of $20-25 per
month. Of course, this fee is above and beyond the cost
for a Internet Service Provider (ISP) which supplies
access to the Internet. As part of the sign-up process
and included in the setup fee, a hosting provider not
only help users ascertain whether a particular name is
available, but also painlessly handles the name
registration and billing with InterNIC.
Links
FAQs about Domain Names
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