REGISTRATION & ELIGIBILITY
VERIFICATION
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
NAME EXPIRATION
NAME TRANSFER
REGISTRATION & ELIGIBILITY
Who can register a .coop domain name?
Only cooperatives, cooperative service organizations and subsidiaries of cooperatives will be eligible to use the .coop domain name. It is the responsibility of dotCoop to ensure that organizations that register .coop names meet the .coop TLD Eligibility Criteria as noted below.
If you are not sure if your organization is eligible, please contact support@communicate.coop. Ineligible registrants forfeit the entire registration fee.
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What are the .coop TLD Eligibility Criteria?
To be approved to register and use a .coop domain name, an applicant must qualify under at least one of the following criteria:
- members of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA)if otherwise eligible;
- members of the International Cooperative Alliance(ICA) if otherwise eligible;
- organizations formed as and/or considered cooperatives under applicable local law;
- associations comprised of cooperatives;
- organizations that are committed to the seven cooperative principles;
- organizations that are majority controlled by cooperatives;
- entities whose operations are principally dedicated to serving cooperatives; and
- for no more than 5,000 registrants, persons or entities whose use of a .coop domain name would, in the opinion of the DCLLC Board, advance the interests of the cooperative sector in general or would assist in the development of cooperatives worldwide.
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Who sets the eligibility criteria?
As the sponsor, dotCoop sets eligibility policies for registration for the .coop TLD based on the criteria defined in the agreement with ICANN. Eligibility criteria are specified in the Registration Agreement .
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How will dotCoop ensure that only eligible organizations purchase names in the .coop domain?
DotCoop will validate that all registrants meet the eligibility criteria as agreed to in the Charter using information from the Internet, the Sponsors, the Verification Partners and co-operative organizations around the world to verify the eligibility of registrants.
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Can a member of a cooperative purchase a .coop name?
Individuals cannot purchase a .coop name for their own use. Domain names can only be registered by an eligible cooperative organization. Of course, individuals within a cooperative organization will be performing the actual purchase of names for the cooperative.
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What happens if my registration is determined to be ineligible?
You will be informed of an appeals process if you feel this determination was made in error. You will have 30 days to initiate the appeals process. The names you have registered will remain in reserve until any appeals process is completed.
If you are determined to be ineligible for a .coop domain, you will forfeit the entire registration fee and the names you have purchased will be released from the reserved name system.
If you are not sure that you are eligible, please contact the registry at support@communicate.coop to confirm your eligibility.
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What happens if an eligible registrant becomes ineligible?
If an eligible registrant becomes ineligible to hold a .coop name because of demutualization, dissolution of the co-op or other means, then the registrant should notify dotCoop within 30 days and the name will be revoked and become available for repurchase by another eligible organization. DotCoop will also move to revoke names if notified by this change by outside parties using the standard manual verification process.
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What is a "majority owned" business in terms of eligibility?
A business must be at least 51% owned by a cooperative or cooperatives in order to be eligible.
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Does a co-op have to meet all of seven of the cooperative principles to be eligible?
Yes. Of course, if the principle is not relevant to that type of co-op then it would not be required. For instance, many buying co-ops do not require capital investment so that principal would not apply to that type of co-op.
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Are "mutual" insurance companies eligible for .coop?
Mutuals that operate on a cooperative basis are eligible for a .coop domain. Eligibility has to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
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Can we buy a name if our co-op is not fully organized?
Yes, you can purchase a name for your co-op as it is being formed. DotCoop recognizes the need to create your Internet identity as an integral part of the start-up of any company in today's world. However, dotCoop reserves the right to review your eligibility after an appropriate time and revoke your .coop domains with no refund if the organization that is created is not eligible as defined by our Charter. Generally, dotCoop reviews such registrations within six months of registration.
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VERIFICATION
What is verification?
Verification is the process by which dotCoop determines whether an applicant is eligible to register a .coop domain name according to the .coop TLD Eligibility Criteria.
Verification is required because the .coop top level domain (TLD) is a restricted TLD. This means that only cooperatives and organizations serving cooperatives are allowed to register and use .coop domain names. dotCoop is responsible for ensuring that only eligible organizations are using this TLD.
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Why do I need to provide information about two "sponsors" when I register my name?
This information is used to confirm the applicant's status as a cooperative. Sponsors are usually cooperatives or cooperative organizations. Sponsors may be contacted if dotCoop has not been able to complete a verification using other processes and contacts such as Verification Partners.
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What does it mean if I get a notice that my eligibility is being verified?
During this verification process, the name(s) you have selected will be held in reserve. If the dotCoop Operations Center cannot determine eligibility based on the Sponsor information, you will be asked to provide appropriate documentation demonstrating eligibility for .coop registration. Within 5 business days, you will be notified by email of the verification decision. The names selected for your organization will remain in reserve while this manual verification proceeds.
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What happens if my registration is determined to be eligible?
The names that you have registered will be immediately released from reserve for use by your organization. No further action on your part is required.
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What happens if my registration is determined to be ineligible?
You will be informed of an appeals process if you feel this determination was made in error. You will have 30 days to initiate the appeals process. The names you have registered will remain in reserve until any appeals process is completed.
If you are determined to be ineligible for a .coop domain, you will forfeit the entire registration fee and the names you have purchased will be released from the reserved name system.
If you are not sure that you are eligible, please contact the registry at support@communicate.coop to confirm your eligibility.
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What additional materials might be requested during verification?
Documentation requested in a manual verification may include the following:
- A copy of the organization's bylaws,
- A copy of the organization's most recent annual report or the most recent past two years of audited financials or financial statements provided to members over the past five years,
- A sample of the organization's membership application forms and/or membership materials, promotional, sales or informational material that reference the organizations status as a cooperative.
In addition, additional references other than your original Sponsors may be requested if the original sponsors could not help confirm your eligibility.)
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What happens to the names that were registered while my organization is verified?
If the verification takes place during your initial registration, the names you have requested for your cooperative will be held in a Pending status. Your cooperative will not be able to use the names nor will other registrants be able to register these names.
If the verification is conducted as a "spot check" and your name is already active, your name will remain active unless dotCoop determines you are not eligible to register and use a .coop domain.
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How long will verification take?
If your cooperative is selected for verification, the system will notify you immediately that the verification process is needed before your cooperative's requested names can be used. In most cases, an eligibility determination will be made within 5 business days. In situations where additional materials or review are needed, the verification process may take as long as 2-3 weeks.
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How can I check the status of my status verification process?
If you would like an update on the status of your verification, contact your registrar.
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Will I have to pay for my .coop domain if I am being verified?
Yes, you will still be charged for your .coop domain. If you are not eligible, your registration fee may or may not be refunded based on your registrar's procedures. If you are not sure of your eligibility, please contact the dotCoop Operations Center. They will be happy to assist you in confirming this before registration.
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Will I be charged a fee for verification?
No. Verification is part of the cost of the .coop domain name.
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How do I update my Sponsor information once my registration is accepted?
Sponsor information is only used at the time of registration to verify your eligibility. It does not need to be maintained. If the dotCoop registry needs to contact your Sponsors after registration, it will contact you for any updated information.
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What is a Verification Partner?
A dotCoop Verification Partner is an organization or individual that agrees to assist dotCoop to confirm the eligibility of applicants for a .coop domain name. Verification Partners assist dotCoop by providing information on the legal and practical setting of cooperatives in their region or sector and by reviewing applications submitted to them by dotCoop and providing advice as to whether the applicant is a cooperative organization within their region or sector and under the terms of the .coop standard eligibility criteria.
By serving as a dotCoop Verification Partner, an organization can support local cooperatives and help them enroll in the new .coop system. This will allow cooperatives from all countries and all sectors to join together in a virtual community that gives them a clear identity on the Internet.
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DISPUTE RESOLUTION
What is the Dispute Resolution Process?
This process is how any disputes for domain name ownership will be handled. The process is documented in the DotCoop Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (DCDRP). The provisions of this policy bind all domain name registrars for domain names in accordance with dotCoop's Agreement with ICANN and is incorporated into your Registration Agreement.
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What steps should be taken if there has been an infringement of your organization's Intellectual Property (IP)?
First, contact the registrant of the domain name. You may be able to work out the problem together. If you must take your grievance to the next step, you will need to review the DCDRP in detail for the exact procedure that should be followed. WIPO has been selected by dotCoop as the .coop dispute resolution service provider.
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What is the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)?
If you register a domain name that is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark or service mark in which the someone has rights, and you have no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name, and your domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith, mandatory administrative proceedings can be initiated by a trademark holder by filing a complaint with an approved dispute resolution service provider. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has been selected to provide this service by dotCoop. WIPO's mandate is to ensure neutrality and impartiality in the treatment of each case, provide a dispute resolution solution service that is easily accessible for Internet consumers and businesses alike, resolve disputes quickly and cost-effectively, and inspire trust in e-commerce. DotCoop will cancel, transfer, or otherwise make changes to domain name registrations as rendered by a WIPO ruling.
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What should I do if I have a dispute with my registrar?
First, try to resolve the issue with the registrar directly. Registrars are required to have customer support mechanisms to assist you. The registration agreement that you have accepted from your registrar is a contract between you and your registrar, and therefore dotCoop does not normally intervene in such disputes. If the problem cannot be resolved directly with your registrar, visit the InterNIC Registrar Problem Report page. It provides additional suggestions, and a report form.
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NAME EXPIRATION
What happens when a .coop name registration expires?
When the expiration date is reached, the name is inactivated. The name (site) will not be accessible on the Internet and will no longer be valid for email. Although the information on the name can still be seen on the .coop WHOIS, the DNS information will no longer be published to the Internet.
Names that are not active will not be immediately affected but will not be able to be activated after expiration.
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What happens if I am in the middle of transferring and renewing my domain name when the expiration date occurs?
Transferring names will not be inactivated at expiration. If a transfer is not completed successfully that was in process at the time of expiration, then the name will be inactivated at that time.
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Can I reactivate my name after it expires?
As soon as a Renewal or Transfer is accepted for an expired name, the name will be re-activated. This will take about 24 hours to be completely accessible on the Internet. This option is only available for 45 days after expiration.
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What happens to my name after expiration? Can I get it back?
Your .coop name will be held for 45 days after expiration by your registrar. You can renew, transfer and otherwise continue to maintain your name after expiration, although it cannot be actively used until it is renewed.
After 45 days, your domain name will be released for purchase by other eligible organizations. You can also repurchase your name at that time if it has not been purchased by someone else.
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What is the Grace Period for .coop domains?
The .coop registry allows for a 5-day grace period on adds, renewals and transfers. During that 5-day period, a refund will be given. After that time, no refunds are provided by the registry. Registrars may have different policies that may take precedence based on your registration agreement with the registrar. Please check directly with your registrar on their policies and procedures for grace periods.
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What is the Redemption Grace Period (RGP) and is it available on .coop domains?
The Redemption Grace Period (RGP) allows registrants to have an additional time period to renew a domain name that has expired at the discretion of the registrar. DotCoop does not support Redemption Grace Period Processing for registrants at this time.
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Where do I renew my domain if I registered on the https://register.nic.coop site?
If your initial registration was made prior to 1 October 2002, this was the registration site. In April 2003 all names were reallocated to .coop registrars.
To see who your .coop registrar is, go to the .coop whois search and enter your domain name. The "Sponsoring Registrar" displayed in the first block of information is your current registrar.
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What does the "ClientRenewProhibited" status on the Whois display mean?
"ClientRenewProhibited" is status information that is set by some .coop registrars so that registrants will need to specifically take action to renew their domains.
Some domains are automatically renewed. Registrars then bill the registrants for these renewals. DotCoop prefers to allow registrants to make that choice and so registrars can ensure that process by setting this status.
This does not mean that you cannot renew your domain! In fact it means that you actually have to take a specific action to do so.
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DOMAIN TRANSFER
How can I transfer my domain name to another eligible organization?
Contact your registrar or check the information on their web site about how to transfer a name to another co-op. DotCoop reserves the right to verify and deny the eligibility of the new registrant in case of a transfer, so please check on eligibility before the transfer is initiated with your registrar.
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How do I transfer my name between registrars?
To transfer your name to a different registrar, contact the "new" registrar to find out their requirement to begin a transfer.
When you transfer a domain, you must renew the name for at least one year at that time. Although registrars can charge for handling your transfer, at this time .coop registrars charge no additional fees beyond their standard renewal fees. Registrars can set different requirements for the length of renewal required at the time of transfer.
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What is an Authorization ID or Domain Secret?
In order to transfer a domain name between registrants, the new or gaining registrar must supply a "password" along with the transfer request to the old or losing registrar. Registrants may have access to this information or may need to request it from their old registrar. These passwords are called the Authorization ID by some registrars and Domain Secrets by other registrars. This is not your password for accessing your registrar account in most cases.
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