.free
.free (dotFree) is a proposed new top level domain (TLD). It is a Sponsored top-level domain intended to be a free top level domain.
According to the dotFree Group s.r.o. organization .free will allow every individual to register free domain names under .free
Along with TLDs such as .travel, .asia and .eu, .free and other proposed TLDs fall into the new category of GeoTLDs. The issue of new top level domains in general has been discussed at various ICANN-Meetings since 2005.
A rationale offered by proponents of the .free proposal is as follows:
The initiative for the top-level domain .free is supported by a multitude of companies and individuals and is the FIRST Initiative for top-level domains which will be 100% free. The .free top-level domain will give people from all over the world the chance to own their free top-level domain and offers companies the chance to market their products with the .free domain extension. The .free community is runned by the dotFree Group s.r.o. – a Czech start-up company, but also of supporters spread around the world and of people who support the idea of freedom.''
.Free is expected to go into general availability in 3Q or 4Q 2011.
Conflicting use in alternative DNS Roots
A .free TLD is currently in operation by the OpenNIC alternative DNS root project to "provide namespace, certificate authority, and other services to encourage the non-commercial use of the internet."
External links
- The initiative for .free (.free official site)
- Interview with dotFree chief executive Dominique Piatti, which covers the basics of the business model and contains a few surprises.
- New gTLD initiatives that are known to exist
fa:.free