.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
The LK DomainThe LK Domain
Gihan V. Dias
LK Domain RegistrarAPRICOT 2004 – Kuala Lumpur
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
HistoryHistory
Started in 1990
Housed at the Dept of Computer Science & Eng., University of Moratuwa since then
Policy and finance handled by Council for Information Technology (CINTEC) from 1995-2003
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Current StatusCurrent Status
LK Domain Registry set up as a non-profit organisation
Board has representatives of– ICT Agency– Telecom Regulatory Commission– ISP Association– Internet Society– and nominated experts
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Status (cont)Status (cont)
LK Domain Registry responsible for policy and finance
Operations carried out at CSE Dept. University of Moratuwa
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
The Structure of the LK The Structure of the LK domaindomain Registrations at two levels
Under the Top-Level Domain (TLD)– at 2nd level– e.g.: myco.lk
Under 2nd-Level Domains (2LD)– at 3rd level– e.g.: myco.com.lk
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Registrations under Top-Registrations under Top-Level DomainLevel Domain Carried out for past 12 years
– no major changes
Handled directly by LKNIC– Agents may register on behalf of clients
No distinctions based on– Type of organisation– Location
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Registrations under TLD Registrations under TLD (cont.)(cont.) Suitable for corporate organisations
– registration fee is higher
Suitable for protecting trademarks, etc.– registration under .lk also blocks
registration in open 2LDs under .lk (unless name is already registered in a 2LD)
– will not block under closed 2LDs
Each name must be approved by lknic
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Criteria for ApprovalCriteria for Approval
Names in the following categories will generally be registered with no delay– Tradenames (registered or unregistered)
used in Sri Lanka– Company name or a reasonable
abbreviation thereof– A name which is adequately explained
by the rationale in the application
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Disallowed names Disallowed names under .lkunder .lk The name Sri Lanka, or any abbrev.
Words not allowed in a company name
“Generic” names– e.g. doctor.lk (except by appropiate body)
Names of provinces and towns
Names which may mislead the public
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Disallowed names (cont.)Disallowed names (cont.)
Obscene or offensive names
Single-letter names
Names reserved by LKNIC for future expansion
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
PanelPanel
All other names will be referred to the LKNIC panel who will generally give a decision within 7 working days
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Name Registration PolicyName Registration Policy
Names are assigned on a first-come first served basis
Applicant’s responsibility to avoid trademark conflicts
If the name is similar to a name used by another organisation the applicant may be required to make a declaration that it is entitled to use the name
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Domain Registration Domain Registration procedureprocedure Two steps
– reservation– registration
Anyone may reserve a name,
A presence in Sri Lanka is required to register the name– Unique policy?
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Name ReservationName Reservation
A signed letter from the name “owner”– contact person– contact info
Payment of Rs. 5000– for 1 year– renewable at the current rate
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Registration MethodsRegistration Methods
By e-mail– form available at http://www.nic.lk
On the Web– http://www.nic.lk
May be submitted by agent
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
2nd2nd -Level Domains-Level Domains
Some 2nd level domains are open and others are closed.
Open registrations under 2nd-level are easier and cheaper than directly under .lk
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Closed 2nd-Level domainsClosed 2nd-Level domains
Closed 2nd levels are handled directly by lknic as well as through agents
Each closed 2LD has its own registration criteria
Only organisations meeting the criteria can register in that 2LD
Each registration must be approved by lknic
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Closed 2nd-Level DomainsClosed 2nd-Level Domains
.gov.lk - Govt. organisations
.net.lk - licenced service providers
.sch.lk - registered schools
open for recommendations for new closed 2LDs
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Open 2nd-Level DomainsOpen 2nd-Level Domains
Open to anyone
Registration only through agents
3LD available only if corresponding 2LD is not registered
LKNIC makes suggestions on suitable types of organisation for each 2nd-level– not checked or enforced– relaxed policy on acceptable names
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Open 2LDs (cont.)Open 2LDs (cont.)
.com.lk - commercial organisations
.org.lk - non-commercial organisations
.web.lk - web sites (general)
edu.lk - educational institutes
shop.lk - shops
group.lk - groups of companies
etc.
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Registration AgentsRegistration Agents
Registrations in open 2LDs via agents– may do direct registrations too in
initial period
Agents may be ISP or Web Designers / Hosters
Agents interface with customer
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Registration ProcedureRegistration Procedure
LKNIC provides web-based interface
SSL secured
Each agent has a passworded account
Registrations usually in one working day– Regs. provisional for 7 working days– may (very rarely) be cancelled in this time
.LKThe Sri Lanka Domain Registry - LKNIC
Contact InfoContact Info
E-mail:
Web:
www.nic.lk