Domain Allocation Policies

Domain name spaces are allocated from the Shared Registry System (SRS) to the registrars or registry according to domain allocation policies. These policies are applicable to the registrar, registrant and registry.

Registrars' duties are specified in the authorization agreement or connection agreement. Registrars provide registration service on the request of a registrant. Domain allocation policies are set up for various types of domain space. Some domain names may end with generic top level domains while some may contain generic as well as country code top level domains which refer to a particular organization in a particular country. For example a domain name ending in .com is used by commercial organizations, but it does not contain the information about the country in which the organization is. At the same time one ending in .com.uk is the web address of a commercial organization in the UK. Holders of International domain names or International trademarks can replace the country code with .int generic top-level domain.

Domain allocation policies clearly outline the duties and responsibilities of a registrant to registrar. All information provided by the registrant to the registrar must be accurate as per the agreement with the registrar. Any entity can create a domain name, but some have restrictions depending on the country in which they need registration. The chosen domain name can be the name of an individual, trade name, service, business, company or association. In the case of country code top-level domains (ccTLD), domain allocation policies may vary from country to country while domain allocation policy for generic top-level domain (gTLD) is uniform. The sub domain spaces are allocated in a flat manner as per the decision of the registry. As per registrant agreement, registrars are responsible for registrar to registrar transfer, cancellation or renewal of a domain name.

The duties and responsibilities of a registry are also specified in the connection agreement. For allocation of domain name license, submit the completely filled out authorization registration form to the registry who is responsible for the corresponding country extensions either directly or through the hands of a registrar accredited by ICANN.

Domain allocation policies ensure that domain registrations and their functioning are orderly and transparent.