.nu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Introduced | 1997 |
|---|---|
| TLD type | Country code top-level domain |
| Status | Active |
| Registry | .NU Domain Ltd |
| Sponsoring organization | Internet Users Society - Niue |
| Intended use | Entities connected with Niue |
| Actual use | Used for a multiplicity of sites all over, few with any connection to Niue; especially popular in Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Belgium |
| Registration restrictions | None |
| Structure | Registrations permitted at second level |
| Documents | Terms and conditions |
| Dispute policies | UDRP |
| Web site | NuNames |
.nu is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) assigned to the island state of Niue. It was one of the first ccTLDs to be marketed to the Internet at large as an alternative to the gTLDs .com, .net, and .org. Playing on the phonetic similarity between nu and new, it was promoted as a "new" TLD in which there was an abundance of good domain names available. However now most of the top .nu's have been taken.
The domain is particularly popular in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium, as nu is the word for "now" in Swedish, Danish, norwegian and Dutch. Partially owing to restrictive domain rules for the ccTLD assigned to Sweden, .se, .nu was used for creative marketing of websites such as www.TV.nu. However, the .se domain was generally considered more professional than .nu and .com. Registrations of Internationalized domain names are also allowed (see details).
Internet Users Society - Niue administers the TLD. A 2005 UDRP case regarding nudomain.com[1] made the assertion under "Factual background" that "The Complainants [WorldNames, Inc. and NU Domain Ltd] own and operate the .NU ccTLD". The companies in question are operating the registry for .nu on behalf of the Internet Users Society, but it is incorrect to state that they "own" the TLD, as TLDs in general are delegated and managed rather than "owned". The case does, however, point out that these companies own a registered trademark to ".nudomain" in several countries.
According to an extensive report issued by McAfee SiteAdvisor in March 2007, .nu domain websites are among the lowest risk TLDs.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ See the WIPO Administrative Panel Decision
- ^ See McAfee Report Ranks .NU Websites Among Lowest Risk Business Wire.
[edit] External links
- IANA WHOIS record for .nu
- Internet Users Society - Niue (IUSN)
- On a tiny island, catchy Web name sparks a battle - detailed newspaper article about ccTLDs in general and Niue's case in particular
- Official website of the government of Niue
