The Ministry of Information Industry published a circular on November 6 to begin a half-year campaign on Internet domain name (DN) registration. The notification requires improper DNs be changed immediately when discovered. A DN protection mechanism against malicious registrations will be launched soon.

 

With the expansion of Internet information services in recent years, the demand for DN registration in China has increased dramatically. However, improper DNs and malicious registrations have appeared, disrupting the order of the DN registration service.

 

The circular advises that registration departments reinforce their checks on DN applications (including Chinese DNs and .cn names). More funds and manpower should be utilized to establish daily monitoring and strengthen the protection of DNs concerning the state and public interests.

 

The circular also advises that a post-registration contingency mechanism be set up. This will be designed to ensure that the state DN analysis server doesn't contain anything improper as specified in the Regulations on the Management of Chinese Internet Domain Names. DNs that have already been registered in the state DN analysis server should also be reviewed to ensure that they comply with the aforesaid regulations.

 

DN registration firms should regulate their service and establish sound DN protection systems. They should also strictly check DNs and those from overseas to ensure they're legal. Any promotion of other Internet services in the name of DN registration, especially the Chinese DN registration, is prohibited.

 

The firms are required to submit reports about their service and agents' information to local communication administrations and the telecommunication administration under the Ministry of Information Industry.

 

(China.org.cn by Zhang Tingting, November 11, 2006)