TLDs are managed by entities called ‘registries’, which are overseen by The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). MMX has applied to ICANN to act as the registry for many TLDs, and has been granted that right for more than twenty TLDs. A domain name registry is the authoritative source of information for domain names registered in a particular top-level domain. In the case of top-level domains, such as those run by MMX do not work directly with the public, but rather through registrars, who sell domain names and other goods and services directly to customers.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was formed in 1998 as an international not-for-profit public-benefit corporation dedicated to maintaining the security and stability of the Internet. Its responsibilities include coordinating and managing the domain name system (DNS). In 2012, after 7 years of policy development, ICANN began the process of expanding the number of Top-level domains beyond the current offerings. Top Level Design LLC’s application for .wiki has already past initial evaluation, has no contention with other applicants, and is set to sign a registry agreement and go live in the fall of 2013.

ICANN originally devised a system that separated out the functions of the registry and the registrar. Essentially, the registry acts as the wholesaler and maintains the official registry database while registrars act as the consumer-facing retail outlets. So, registrars are the entities that sell domain names to registrants. You are likely already familiar with some registrars, such as GoDaddy, which is the world’s largest registrar. Many registrars provide other services such as website builders, hosting, e-mail, search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). We provide a full list of registrars that sell MMX TLDs.

Any established public or private organization anywhere in the world could have applied to ICANN to operate a new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) registry through the New gTLD Program. The deadline for submitting applications closed in May 2012. To be approved to operate a registry, MMX had to demonstrate that it had the operational, technical and financial capability to run a registry and could comply with additional specific requirements

Most of our TLDs are open to any customer. Certain TLDs are restricted to qualified applicants. For instance, .abogado is open only to lawyers.

Our TLDs are available through any of our MMX-accredited registrars.

Registrars determine their own prices after purchasing them from the registry at a wholesale price. You will find a variety of prices that correspond to different levels and bundles of goods and services. The prices of MMX TLDs will be competitive with other top-level domains.