Fee for Registration of Domain Names
Remember, we will submit your Domain Name & InterNIC Will Bill You.

1. Introduction

1.1 Summary

Beginning on March 1, 1993, the National Science Foundation began funding the administration of the "COM", "ORG", "NET", "EDU", and "GOV" top-level domains and root domains through a Cooperative Agreement with Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI), the InterNIC Registrar (Registrar). Beginning September 14, 1995, the Cooperative Agreement directed the Registrar to require direct payment from domain name applicants/registrants for registration and renewal (re-registration) of the domain names at the second level of the five listed top-level domains. The funds received from those fees replaced funding provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

1.2 Background

Originally, the Internet began as a research experiment and network known as the ARPANET, which supported the exchange of files and data among government contractors and researchers. As the TCP/IP suite was developed in the early 1980s, the Domain Name System (DNS) emerged as the replacement system to the original ARPANET hosts.txt mechanism. The high-level structure of names used by DNS eventually evolved into five world-wide generic domains ("COM", "ORG", "NET", "EDU", and "INT"), two U.S. only generic domains ("MIL" and "GOV"), and country code domains (e.g., "US" for the United States, "AU" for Australia, etc.).

The exponential growth of the Internet, due mostly to the connecting of commercial organizations to the Internet over the past several years, has had a directly proportional effect on the registration activity of the Registrar. The increased activity, with the corresponding growth of operating costs, resulted in funding requirements exceeding the National Science Foundation's budget. In addition, it became appropriate that Internet users, instead of the U.S. Federal Government, pay the costs of domain name registration services. Accordingly, with the authorization of the National Science Foundation, the Registrar began charging the end user a fee for the registration and renewal of domain names in the "COM", "ORG", "NET", "EDU", and "GOV" domains.

1.3 Registrar Alternatives

There are numerous alternatives available to an organization that wishes to obtain a domain name from a source other than the Registrar, and in turn, possibly reduce, or completely avoid, the fees outlined herein. A U.S. organization may opt to use the "US" domain, which has a geographically based naming scheme. In addition, a number of the other registrars of country code generic top-level domains will issue domain names without regard to geography. Alternatively, an organization may opt to find an appropriate domain under which they can create a subdomain. For example, company ABC is a subsidiary of company XYZ, whose domain is "XYZ.COM;" a subdomain ABC could be created under XYZ, thus creating "ABC.XYZ.COM."

2. Definitions

"Registrant"

The party or organization, such as a company or service provider, that is applying for a new domain name.

"Contact"

The person responsible for a particular domain name or aspect of a particular domain name. The types of contacts include: administrative, technical, and billing contacts. These contacts are listed in the Registrar's WHOIS database. Communication with contacts is via electronic mail, telephone and postal addresses that are listed in this database. It is the responsibility of the Registrant and contacts to maintain current contact information in the database.

"Domain Name"

An easy-to-remember address that correlates directly to an Internet Protocol (IP) number.

"DNS"

The Domain Name System handles mapping from host names to Internet addresses. Configuration information from the Registrar's Registration Services database is released into the DNS on each business day.

"WHOIS"

A database utility that allows queries of domain records which include company, contact, and operational information from the Registrar's Registration Services database.

"New Domain Name"

Names that have not yet been entered into the InterNIC Registration Services database, or names that have expired and have been removed from the InterNIC database and made available for reissue to an applicant at a later time.

"Existing Domain Name"

Names that are registered within the Registrar's Registration Services database and accessible through WHOIS.

3. Charges

The Registrar applies two types of charges with respect to domain names. The first is a "Registration Fee" (or initial fee) for new domain names; the other is a "Renewal Fee" (or re-registration fee) for existing domain names that are already registered. Payment must be in US dollars. The Registrar will announce any future price changes by notice on the mailing list: "rs-info@internic.net"

3.1 New Domain Names

3.1.1 Registration Fee

For registrations with registration dates on or before March 31, 1998, the fee is $100.00 USD. For domain names with registration dates on or after April 1, 1998, the fee is $70.00 USD. The charges reflect the terms set out in Amemdment 9 of the Cooperative Agreement between NSI and the NSF. New domain names are valid for two years from the date that the Registrar activates the domain name. The Registrar will remove domain names from the database upon the request of the domain name holder; however, the Registration Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Domain names deleted from the database will be available for registration.

3.1.2 Payment of Fee

The Registrar activates domain names upon request, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Within seven (7) days after domain name activation, an invoice is sent to the billing contact by both postal and electronic mail. Payment is due within thirty (30) days. If payment is not received by the due date, the domain name is subject to deactivation and deletion. Domain names deleted from the database will be available for registration.

3.1.3 Contact Data

The Registrar does not attempt to notify the contacts by any means other than postal and electronic mail. It is the responsibility of the administrative, billing and technical contacts to keep their records up to date in the Registrar's Registration Services' database. The Registrar is not responsible for the failure of invoice deliveries due to inaccuracies of or outdated contact information.

3.2 Existing Domains

3.2.1 Renewal Fee

For all registered domain names, there is a Renewal Fee (re-registration fee) due upon the anniversary date of the domain name activation. This annual fee will keep the domain name valid for one year. Payment must be made in advance on an annual basis. For domain names with anniversary dates on or before March 31, 1998, the fee is $50.00 USD. For domain names with anniversary dates on or after April 1, 1998 the fee is $35.00 USD. The charges reflect the terms set out in Amemdment 9 of the Cooperative Agreement between NSI and the NSF. The Registrar will remove domain names from the database upon the request of the domain name holder; however, the Renewal (re-registration) Fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Domain names deleted from the database will be available for registration.

3.2.2 Payment of Fee

Thirty (30) days before the annual Renewal Fee is due, an invoice is sent to the billing contact by both postal and electronic mail. Payment is due within thirty (30) days. If payment is not received by the due date (anniversary date), the domain name is subject to deactivation and deletion. Domain names deleted from the database will be available for registration.

3.2.3 Notification of Renewal Fee Due

The Registrar provides sixty (60) days advance notice, by electronic mail, to the domain name billing contact (or administrative contact, in the absence of a separately identified billing contact), with a copy to the administrative contact that the Renewal Fee will be due on the anniversary of the activation date. This notice serves as a reminder to update all contact related information, especially any stale billing contact data.

4. Invoicing and Payment

Invoices are sent to the billing contact at both the postal and electronic mail address specified in the Registrar's Registration Services database. Payments are due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date. If payment is not received by the due date, the associated names are subject to deactivation and deletion. All payments must be in US dollars. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

4.1 Special Payment Provisions

4.1.1 "EDU" and "GOV" Domains

Effective April 1, 1997, the Registrar no longer charges any fees for approved domain name registrations in the "EDU" and "GOV" domains. Prior to April 1997, the National Science Foundation paid the fees associated with domain name registrations and renewals for the academic institutions registered in the "EDU" domain. Effective October 1, 1997, the Registrar no longer registers or administers domain names in the "GOV" domain.

4.1.2 Program Payments

At the option of the Registrar, various payment programs, including prepaid accounts and customized invoicing, are available.

4.2 Invoices

Invoices are sent via both postal and electronic mail to the billing contact for each domain name. It is the Registrant's responsibility to maintain accurate contact information. Registrar cannot be responsible for non-delivery of invoices due to wrong or incorrect addresses. Current acceptable payment methods are outlined on the applicable invoice. Failure to follow these instructions may delay payment processing and could result in the loss of the related domain name.

4.3 Checks and Money Orders

All checks and money orders should be made out to "Network Solutions, Inc.", payable in US dollars. A $25 fee will be charged for any returned checks. Checks must clearly indicate the invoice number and be accompanied by the invoice remittance stub. Failure to provide this information will delay the posting of payment and could result in the loss of the domain name. Checks should be drawn on a US bank to ensure timely posting. Checks drawn on a non-US bank are subject to return if not accepted by Registrar's bank for immediate credit.

4.4 Credit Cards

Registration and Renewal Fees may be paid by American Express, MasterCard, VISA, Diners Club and Discover credit cards. To pay by credit card, follow the instructions on a current invoice.

4.5 Alternate Methods of Payment

The Registrar is constantly evaluating other payment methods, such as forms of electronic payments and Internet based tools. The Registrar will announce any such additional payment methods and include current details on its invoices.

4.6 Payment Address

For prompt processing, checks and money orders should be sent to the address indicated on the invoices along with the required remittance slip. As an alternative, they can be sent to Network Solutions, Inc., 505 Huntmar Park Drive, Herndon, Virginia, 20170, to the attention of Accounts Receivable. However, this may cause a delay in the posting of payments.

4.7 Forms of Payment Not Accepted

The Registrar will not accept currency, coin, purchase orders or stamps as payment. The Registrar will not accept credit card information sent by electronic mail.

4.8 Taxes

Registration and Renewal Fees are currently exempt from sales tax.

5. Suggestions and Complaints

The Registrar encourages customers to submit suggestions for improvements of the domain name registration and billing processes. The address for both suggestions and complaints is: "billing@internic.net"

| WebHost | Terms | Features | FAQ | OverView | Set Up | Glossary | DomainRegistration  | FeeRegistration | 
Contact Us | HOME | YOA |

 l SERVICES INDEX l PRICES l ADVANCED CART l BASIC MART CART l DEMO SHOPPING CART l CONTACT l
l A2Z4U.Net l SEARCH OUR SITE l FREE YOUTH SITES l DEDICATED SERVERS l UNIX COMMERCE /RESELLER l
l HOST AUDIO l DESIGN & MAINTENANCE l 400 UNIX l DIAL UP l 400 NT l E-COMMERCE l TUTORIALS l
l 12-25 Mb Merchant l FREE COMPUTERS l NT Vs UNIX? l CREDIT CARDS l MEMBERS l YOA HOME PAGE  l