.coop Domain: The Dedicated Space for Global Cooperatives
In the vast landscape of the internet, most businesses compete for space within generic extensions like .com or .org. However, cooperatives—businesses owned and run by their members—have a specialized digital home: the .coop top-level domain. This unique extension serves as a global badge of identity, signaling that an organization adheres to the cooperative business model.
The Origins of .coop
The .coop domain was introduced in 2001. Its creation was a strategic response to an announcement by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in late 2000, which planned a phased release of seven new generic top-level domains to expand the internet's naming space.
The proposal for .coop was spearheaded by the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) and received widespread support from global trade groups, including the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). The technical foundation was built by Poptel, a worker cooperative based in the United Kingdom, and the system officially became operational on January 30, 2002.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Governance and Management
The .coop extension is classified as a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD), meaning it has a designated sponsor responsible for its policies and oversight. The sponsoring organization is DotCooperation LLC (also known as dotCoop), a wholly owned subsidiary of the NCBA.
Over the years, the registry's operational management has evolved. In 2005, Midcounties Co-operative took over registry operations through its subsidiary, Midcounties Co-operative Domains. Additionally, DynDNS was contracted as the sole DNS (Domain Name System) provider for the registry in 2006.
Registration Requirements and Eligibility
Unlike generic domains that anyone can purchase, .coop has strict registration restrictions to maintain the integrity of the cooperative brand. Eligibility is limited to:
- Cooperatives.
- Wholly owned subsidiaries of cooperatives.
- Organizations dedicated to promoting or supporting cooperatives.
To ensure these standards are met, eligibility is verified through cooperative organizations and verifiable documentation provided by the registrant. While direct second-level registrations are permitted, the Sponsor reserves certain generic words. These reserved terms are awarded to applicants who provide proposals ensuring the terms remain accessible to all relevant cooperatives.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Benefits for Cooperative Members
Beyond a professional web address, registering a .coop domain provides integrated community benefits. All active domain holders are automatically listed in an online .coop directory and receive a periodic newsletter to stay connected with the global cooperative movement.
While many cooperatives utilize .coop to highlight their social structure, it is common for these businesses to maintain additional domain names in generic or country-code top-level domains to balance their identity as both a cooperative and a commercial business.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: Introduced in 2001; operational by January 30, 2002.
- Sponsor: DotCooperation LLC (subsidiary of NCBA).
- Eligibility: Restricted to cooperatives and supporting organizations.
- Security: Supports DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions).
- Verification: Requires verifiable materials to prove cooperative status.
- Registry: Managed by Identity.coop.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| TLD Type | Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD) |
| Registry Website | identity.coop |
| Dispute Policy | UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) |
| DNSSEC Support | Yes |
| Registration Path | Accredited ICANN registrars or resellers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can register a .coop domain?
Only cooperatives, their wholly owned subsidiaries, and organizations that exist to promote or support cooperatives are eligible to register.
How is eligibility verified for .coop registration?
Eligibility is verified through organizations of cooperatives and by reviewing verifiable materials submitted by the registrant.
Is .coop a generic domain?
No, it is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD), which means it has specific requirements and a sponsoring body (DotCooperation LLC) overseeing its use.
What happens after a cooperative registers a .coop domain?
Registrants are automatically included in an online .coop directory and are signed up for a periodic newsletter.
Can I register a .coop domain through any provider?
Registrations must be processed via accredited ICANN domain name registrars or their authorized resellers.