.pro
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| Introduced | 2004 |
|---|---|
| TLD type | Generic top-level domain |
| Status | Active |
| Registry | RegistryPro |
| Sponsor | RegistryPro |
| Intended use | Business use by qualified professionals |
| Actual use | Internet & information technology professionals, consultants, real estate professionals, financial and accounting professionals, engineers, lawyers, communications professionals, medical professionals |
| Registration restrictions | Credentials of applicants are self-certified prior to registration |
| Structure | Second level .PRO domains are available to all government certified individuals and businesses |
| Documents | ICANN registry agreement |
| Dispute policies | UDRP, Qualification Challenge Policy (QCP) |
| Website | registry.pro |
The domain name pro is a generic top-level domain in the Domain Name System of the Internet. Its name is derived from professional, indicating its intended use by qualified professionals.
The domain was originally launched in June 2004 with registrations restricted to lawyers, accountants, physicians and engineers in France, Canada, Germany, UK and the US.
In March 2005, the registrar EnCirca introduced its controversial ProForwarding service which enabled unverified individuals and businesses to register pro domains by proxy for $99. Total registrations reached 6,899 by January 2008.
Following consultation with ICANN, the domain was relaunched in September 2008 with a wider remit to include government certified professionals in all countries.[1] Registrants are required to self-certify their professional status and agree to terms of use before registration, then subsequently provide detailed license information.
The official domain website describes the eligibility criteria as follows:[2]
- Applicant provides professional services
- Applicant is admitted to or licensed by a government certification body or jurisdictional licensing entity recognized by a governmental body that regularly verifies the accuracy of its data
- Applicant is in good standing with the licensing authority
The domain registry allows registration of second-level domains and third-level domains in the following second-level domains:[2]
- Legal professions: law.pro, avocat.pro, bar.pro, jur.pro
- Accountancy: cpa.pro, aaa.pro, aca.pro, acct.pro
- Medical professions: med.pro
- Engineering: eng.pro
As of July 2010, the domains may be registered through 40 accredited domain registrars. In 2010, the number of registered domains exceeded 45000 with the majority of domains in the United States (42%), followed by France (24%) and Russian Federation (5%).[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "ICANN Unanimously Approves RegistryPro Proposal to Expand the .PRO TLD". 2008-05-14. http://www.tophosts.com/articles/007381.html.
- ^ a b "Who can register a .PRO Domain name". http://www.registry.pro/pro/eligibility.shtml.
- ^ ".PRO Registry Operator’s Report, April 2010". ProRegistry. http://www.icann.org/en/tlds/monthly-reports/pro/pro-201004.pdf.
[edit] External links
- Official RSS feed of RegistryPro and the .PRO TLD
- Official Facebook page of RegistryPro and the .PRO TLD
- Official Twitter account of RegistryPro and the .PRO TLD
- Official Linkedin account of RegistryPro and the .PRO TLD
- Official CircleID account of RegistryPro and the .PRO TLD.
- Authorized .PRO registrar partners
- IANA delegation record
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