This document summarizes registry models and discusses open and closed registry systems. It begins by outlining 2R and 3R registry models, noting advantages and disadvantages of each. Open registries allow unrestricted domain registration anywhere, while closed registries restrict registration according to certain procedures. Examples are given of country code top-level domains that use open and closed approaches. The .gh registry will initially adopt a closed 3R model, requiring company registration or trademark for domains and limiting initial registrars. The discussion of open versus closed models for .gh may be revisited later.

1. Registry Models
Presented by Vanessa Issah
First Stakeholder Consultative meeting
23 Feb 2016
…Let your Business stand out with a .gh Domain

2. ..Let your business stand out with a .gh Domain
Agenda
 Types of Registry Models
 2R and 3R models
 Advantages and Disadvantages
 Open and Closed Registries
 Benefits of Closed and Open Registries
 Disadvantages of both open and close registries
 Adoption of open and closed models
 Summary
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3. 2R Models
 Registry “2R” Model
 Registry – Registrant
 Registry provides direct
registrations to
consumers
 Registrants request
domains directly through
registry
 Registrants request
domains directly through
a direct reseller
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2R Model
 Advantages
 Simple Model
 Direct customer relationships
 Offloads some customer interface work from
registry to reseller
 Disadvantages
 Doesn’t scale without lots of work from registry
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5. 3R Model
 Registry “3R” Model
 Registry – Registrar –
Registrant
 Registrars interface
between customer and
registry
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3R Model
 Advantages
 More stakeholders => more policies/business models
 Less work for registry (automation/EPP)
 Focus on DNS services
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Open and Closed models
 Open registry
Allows anyone to register domains anywhere
 Closed registry
Restricted registration
Laid down procedure for registration
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Open vs. Closed registry
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9. ..Let your business stand out with a .gh Domain
Implications
 Open
 Anyone anywhere can register domain
 Not operated by many registries
 Restrictions are minimal, eg. .ly allows for open
registration largely but restricts type of content
on .ly website
 Introduction of policies in Dispute Resolution
Procedure to protect trademark owners and
defend their rights against cybersquatters
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10. ..Let your business stand out with a .gh Domain
Implications
 Closed
 Adopted by many .ccTLD registries
 Narrow defined categories for registration eg.
Government, limited companies, academic
institutions.
 Strict checking means extra overheads eg. More
paper work submissions as proof by registrant.
 Additional cost is incurred
 Complex because of too many rules to follow
 Deters domain registrations and establishment of
a thriving registrar sector
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11. ..Let your business stand out with a .gh Domain
Open and Closed Model Adoption
 These registries adopt open model
.at, .dk, .mx, .nz, .ch and .uk
 Small Islands, .cc (Cocos), .tv (Tuvalu), .ws (Samoa)
 Closed model
.fr, .de, .it, .be, .my, .es, .se, .nl and .ve
common restrictions are
residence requirement, company registration or legal
representative
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12. ..Let your business stand out with a .gh Domain
Continued…
 .es registry created open 3rd level domain eg. .com.es,
.nom.es, .org.es
 Extending open model to 2nd level domain .es because of
positive experience with 3rd level domain
 .za has open registrations for only .co.za domains
 .ng has open registrations for com.ng, name.ng, mobi.ng,
biz.ng –semi open for org.ng
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13. ..Let your business stand out with a .gh Domain
.gh Registry Model
 3R Model
 Registrar Accreditation Process to be published soon
 Maximum of 5 Local registrars to be accredited in 2016
 Closed Registry
 Require Company registration certificate or trade mark
for registration
 Reduces number of disputes
 Debate on Close or Open registry for .gh registry later
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14. ..Let your business stand out with a .gh Domain
Wrap-up
 Different registry models
 Comparison of both models
 Adoption in some countries
 Some implications
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15. Thank you
Questions?
info@ghnic.org.gh
www.ghnic.org.gh
+233-303968373
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