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- To: <forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Subject: [alac-forum] Commentary on the Validity of a ccTLD in the Event a County is Dissolved
- From: "Doug Mehus" <dmehus@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 01:52:06 -0800
- Importance: High
- Sender: <owner-alac-forum@xxxxxxxxx>
I wanted to outline a policy commentary on the continued validity of a
country-code Top-Level Domain ("ccTLD") in the event that a country is
dissolved or changes its name.
Commentary on the Validity of a ccTLD in the Event a County is Dissolved or
Changes its Name
by Doug Mehus
Published: January 14th, 2003
Introduction and Background
---------------------------
>From time to time, countries either dissolve themselves, amalgamate with
other jurisdictions or countries, or simply change their name. Because the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority relies on the International Organization
for Standardization to assign two-letter country codes to each country, a
country code could change the next time the ISO recycles or removes one that
is no longer in use. Therefore, as was discussed in a recent message board
posting (http://www.icannwatch.org/comments.pl?sid=1522&cid=12843), the ISO
removed the "zr" country-code following Zaire's change of name to Democratic
Republic of the Congo. IANA soon followed suit by removing the zrTLD from
the domain name system root.
Recommendations
---------------
In the event a country changes its name, dissolves, or otherwise fails to
exist, I believe its database of registered domain names should be
transferred to the IANA from the currently delegated administrator
("registry administrator"), in which case IANA would manage the root servers
of the ccTLD and allow existing domain name owners to modify their domain
names (contact information, nameservers, etc.) through an IANA web-based
interface. However, no new registrations should be accepted.
As for the length IANA should continue managing a ccTLD remains to be seen,
but it would seem reasonable to say at least two years and not more than
three. That gives domain name owners more than adequate time to register a
new domain name in another TLD space, set up Web hosting for it, transfer
their site(s) over, forward users to it from the former address, and have
their links in various search engine databases all re-indexed. After the two
or three years, IANA would serve domain name owners a final 90-day notice, a
60-day notice, and a 30-day notice, and then remove the ccTLD from the root.
It is widely perceived that this would ensure the least amount of negative
reaction and public outrage, if any at all.
But What About Stability?
-------------------------
Some have questioned that by taking an action such as removing a ccTLD from
the domain name system root harms the stability of the Internet. This
appears to be a case of fear, uncertainty, and doubt ("FUD"). Because the
ccTLD of the former country would continue to operate for up to three years
under IANA management, there would be ample time for people to update their
address books, contact friends and colleagues, and Web sites to a new Web
presence.
In addition, by keeping a ccTLD of a former country in existence
perpetually, stability of the Internet is actually harmed by a possible
conflict in the event that the ISO decides to recycle or reuse that
country-code for a new country. If that were to happen, IANA would be at a
crossroads: continue using the country-code for the former, non-existent
country or assign it to the newly created country with the same two-letter
code with no advance warning?
Conclusion
----------
It is my belief that ICANN, operating as IANA, should establish a clear and
authoritative policy white paper on what to do with a ccTLD of a former
country to preserve the stability of the Internet and to ensure only
legitimate countries maintain the benefit of having their own Top-Level
Domain in perpetuity.
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