The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has signed the finalized agreement for the Public Interest Registry (PIR), the not-for-profit subsidiary of the Internet Society (ISOC) of Reston, Va., to operate the .org top-level domain. PIR takes over the management of the domain registry from VeriSign, the current .org registrar, on Jan. 1.
PIR and VeriSign are planning a 25-day transition period to give ICANN-accredited registrars time to adapt to the new system. PIR has also subcontracted with Afilias, the operator of the .info top level domain launched last year, to provide back end services.
.Org is the Internet's fifth largest top level domain housing over 2.6 million domain names worldwide. PIR says it will introduce new services designed to meet the "unique needs of non-commercial organizations" including name locking, site linking, a directory, and ID certification.
"For example, new registrations will become operational in a matter of minutes rather than hours or days," Stuart Lynn, president and CEO of ICANN, said.
In addition, PIR will establish a .Org Advisory Council to be made up of non-commercial community leaders.
Earlier this year, the ICANN Board of Directors selected PIR/ISOC, from among 11 organizations bidding to operate the .org top-level domain. VeriSign is relinquishing .org to comply with an agreement they entered into with ICANN and the U.S. Department of Commerce in May 2001.
