07-04-2006, 02:23 PM
I am not sure whether you are talking about country code domains or international domains. As far as I am aware, all domain names are under ICANN (with a few exceptions, such as those under Name.Space and other alternative networks.. but these are not universally accessable).
Country Code Domains:
There are over 200 country code domains (ccTLDs). Each country code domain is regulated by the country itself. For instance, .fr domains are regulated by france. Hence, each country has its own laws as to how domains should be used and by whom they can be registered.
Although some extensions are just not popular at all (such as .us, because it is often mis-interpreted within the united states that .com is American), many countries make good use of their extension. The most blatant examples are the UK (.co.uk) and france .fr and germany .de.
International Domains:
There are also international domains, and this might be what you mean. These are registered to institutions which operate across borders. The World Health Organisation owns http://www.who.int/. They can not be registered by individuals.
Country Code Domains:
There are over 200 country code domains (ccTLDs). Each country code domain is regulated by the country itself. For instance, .fr domains are regulated by france. Hence, each country has its own laws as to how domains should be used and by whom they can be registered.
Although some extensions are just not popular at all (such as .us, because it is often mis-interpreted within the united states that .com is American), many countries make good use of their extension. The most blatant examples are the UK (.co.uk) and france .fr and germany .de.
International Domains:
There are also international domains, and this might be what you mean. These are registered to institutions which operate across borders. The World Health Organisation owns http://www.who.int/. They can not be registered by individuals.