.name
| dot name | |
| Introduced | 2001 |
|---|---|
| TLD type | Generic top-level domain |
| Status | Active |
| Registry | Global Name Registry (operated by VeriSign) |
| Sponsor | None |
| Intended use | Personal sites of individuals |
| Actual use | Mostly used as intended, but has not grown as fast as .com/.biz/.info |
| Registration restrictions | No prior restriction on registration, but registrations can be challenged if not by or on behalf of individual with name similar to that of domain, or fictional character in which registrant has rights |
| Structure | Originally registrations had to be at third level, in form john.smith.name, but later direct second-level registrations were allowed |
| Documents | ICANN registry agreement |
| Dispute policies | UDRP, Disputes |
| Registry website | nic.name |
.name is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) intended for the use of individuals' real names, nicknames, screen names, pseudonyms or other personal names. It was delegated to Global Name Registry in 2001, although it did not become fully operational until January 2002.
Domains can be registered on the second level (john.name) and the third level (john.doe.name). It is also possible to register an e-mail address on the form john@doe.name together with, or instead of, the domain john.doe.name. Such an e-mail address is a forwarding account, and requires another e-mail address to be delivered to.
When a domain is registered on the third level (john.doe.name), the second level (doe.name in this case) is shared, and may not be registered. Further third level objects like jane.doe.name or doe@doe.name may be registered. Other second level domains like johndoe.name remain unaffected.
When the .name domain was first launched, only third level registrations (and forwarded e-mail addresses) were available; it is only later, in January 2004, that second level registrations were made available as well. The original intended structure of names was first.last.name, so that an individual could get a domain corresponding to his or her actual name.
When a domain is registered on the second level (doe.name), third level domains or e-mail addresses under this second level (john.doe.name and jane@doe.name) are associated with the second level domain, and may not be registered with the .name registry. Other objects like janedoe.name and jane.johndoe.name remain unaffected.
The .name gTLD is intended for use by individuals and personalities, both fictional and real.
As a personal, unique and memorable identifier, .name addresses are increasingly being used as a natural address for Digital Identity applications.
The .name whois service is available at whois.nic.name, and there is a website where whois queries can be made at the .name whois website. Registrations are processed via ICANN accredited registrars.
The administrative and technical contacts for .name are the founders — Hakon Haugnes and Geir Rasmussen.
Controversy
In late September 2007 security researchers accused GNR of harboring hackers for a few dollars more, as the policy of selling detailed registration info on .name domains for US$2 apiece hinders community efforts to locate and clean up malware spreading machines, trojanized zombies and botnet control servers located under the .name space.
Considering there are millions of malicious and/or hijacked systems spread all over the net, the assumption made was that finding out about the .name population alone could cost thousands of dollars in fees, while the dot-com and dot-net spaces make their registration info freely available.
This issue originated with an online article [1] that included quotes from a number of security researchers wrongly assuming they would have to pay for each Whois lookup as part of their efforts. This part of the article was factually incorrect as the Registry does indeed offer free unlimited lookups for legitimate users through the free Extensive Whois [2] access program.