The Domain Regulations ensure that the views of user representatives and authorities are taken into account in the design of regulations for Norwegian domain names, so that they always reflect society’s needs. These regulations are binding for both Norid and registrars as part of the registrar scheme.
As the registry, Norid is tasked with designing a system where the domain registration process complies with relevant regulations and other relevant constraints imposed by regulatory authorities. Among other things, this includes defining which services are to be centralized under Norid and which services can be left to registrars.
It is essential that Norid and its registrars establish a good and professional working relationship. The registrar agreement includes minimum requirements for the registrar’s technical and administrative competence. Beyond the basic services all registrars must be able to perform, some registrars also offer various additional services and service levels. Registrars compete with each other on the development of systems for submitting transactions to Norid’s registration system, invoicing to subscribers and customer support, among other things. Norid’s procedures and systems are kept at a basic level, so as not to favour any single registrar’s business model or technical solutions.
The balance between Norid’s and the registrar’ responsibilities have shifted over time, as the industry has developed and become able to take on additional responsibilities. The invoicing of the subscription fee is one example of a task that has been moved from Norid to the registrars.
Contractual relationships
In addition to acting as the intermediary between Norid and the subscriber, the registrar also often provides its own services to the subscriber. The following contractual relationships exist between the three parties:
- The relationship between Norid and the registrar is regulated by the registrar agreement and the domain name policy.
- The relationship between Norid and the subscriber is regulated by the domain name policy and the applicant's declaration, which is the subscriber’s acceptance of subscription terms and conditions. The applicant's declaration limits liability between the subscriber and the registrar scheme. More about the background for the applicant declaration.
- The relationship between the registrar and the subscriber is regulated by the registrar’s own customer contract. Norid is not a party to this contract.