Domain Names

The Danish Business Authority and the Danish Internet Community

The Danish Business Authority is the supervisory authority for the Danish Internet Forum (DIFO), which is responsible for the .dk top-level domain. This means that it is the task of the Danish Business Authority to ensure that DIFO adheres to its obligation as registry of the .dk top-level domain.

The basis for DIFO's administration is vested partly in the Internet Domain Act (the Domain Act) and partly in the Executive Order on the Internet domain .dk. The legislation places special emphasis on the safe and stable operation of and trust in the .dk top-level domain.

It is to a large extent the Danish Internet Community itself that sets the rules for .dk domains. The rules are laid down by DIFO that is required to represent the Internet Community.

The Danish Business Agency participates in the work of managing the Internet in various national and international fora. The work is carried out in close cooperation with both foreign and Danish stakeholders. The Danish Business Authority represents the Danish government internationally in fora on internet governance and internet related issues, including ICANN and IGF.

Self-regulation

It is in line with the spirit of managing the Internet that the stakeholders of the Internet Community through DIFO lay down the detailed rules for the administration of .dk. This self-regulation regime has existed since the advent of the Internet and has generally continued in the current system.

DIFO's mandate

For the first 10 years, DIFO handled the administration based on an agreement with the former Ministry of Research (later the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation). Since 2009, DIFO has been administering .dk based on the domain act and the related executive order after a tender process. DIFO's license for the administration of .dk runs until June 21, 2027. Prior to the expiry, it must be decided whether the license should be extended or the role of registry of .dk should be retendered by the Danish Business Authority.

Domain Complaints

The Complaints Board for Domain Names decides in disputes concerning the right to domain names under the .dk top-level domain. The Complaints Board for Domain Names is an independent complaints board.

DIFO finances the Complaints Board for Domain Names.

Further information:

On the internet community:

See the website of the International Coporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.

See the website of the Internet Governance Forum.

See the website of the Danish Internet Forum.

See the website of DK Hostmaster A/S.

See the website of the Complaints Board for Domain Names.

On Danish regulations and decisions:

Find the Internet Domains Act.

Find the Order on the Internet domain .dk.

Find the Executive Order on Extension of Permission to Manage the Internet Domain .dk.

Find decisions from the Complaints Board for Domain Names.