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    • .hiv

    Generic top-level domainsIDNDNSSEC

    Overview

    .hiv is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) created to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and raise funds for related projects. The string was proposed by the Berlin-based nonprofit dotHIV and is described as the first open charitable gTLD. ICANN's registry contract for .hiv includes provisions that preclude the operator from making a profit.

    History

    • Inspired by an anti-HIV/AIDS campaign by the German agency thjnk; dotHIV gemeinnütziger e.V. was formed by co-founders including Carolin Silbernagl, Michael Trautmann and Philipp Kafkoulas.
    • Contract signed with ICANN: 13 March 2014.
    • Delegated to the DNS Root Zone: 31 May 2014.
    • Sunrise/limited registration period: July 2014.
    • General public availability: August 2014.
    • In April 2015 the TLD was put up for auction but failed to meet the reserve price; no bidders signed up.
    • Acquisition announced: Uniregistry agreed to take over .hiv in September 2015 and planned to complete the change in ownership before World AIDS Day (1 December 2015). Uniregistry stated it would continue the existing charitable model for the immediate future.

    Usage and Audience

    • Intended audience:

      • HIV/AIDS charities and advocacy groups
      • Corporations and brands wishing to signal support or create awareness pages
      • Individuals and campaigns promoting HIV/AIDS treatment access and education

    • Typical uses:

      • Dedicated awareness or campaign landing pages (often forwarding from a brand's main site)
      • Fundraising and visibility for projects in regions such as Rwanda, South Africa, Turkey and the United States

    Registration Rules

    • Restrictions: None listed in the registry infobox.
    • Special provisions:
      • Nonprofit organizations working in the HIV/AIDS field were eligible to receive .hiv domains at no cost.
      • The original sales model: domains retailed for €150; domain sales funded a general fund and small micro-donations triggered by visits to .hiv domains.
      • Micro-donation model (described prior to the Uniregistry takeover): visits to .hiv domains generated small donations of about one-tenth of a cent from the general fund to a project fund.
      • ICANN contract language limited the operator from making a profit on the TLD; dotHIV planned to reinvest excess revenues into HIV-related projects.

    SEO and Brand Impact

    • Positioning: .hiv was promoted as a "digital red ribbon" namespace to unite website owners behind the goal of ending AIDS and to provide a visible sign of support.
    • Perception and benefits noted in commentary:
      • .hiv domains can serve as awareness landing pages that drive specific actions and information about supported projects.
      • The micro-donation-per-visit model provides an incentive for domain owners to promote their .hiv addresses, potentially increasing visibility for supported causes.
      • Commentary contrasted .hiv with consumer-facing cause-marketing campaigns, noting that .hiv's model channels funds directly to specific projects and gives nonprofits free infrastructure to present their work.

    Notable Cases or Examples

    • Early and notable adopters:

      • (RED) / Bono's Product Red was the first .hiv domain launched during the July 2014 sunrise period.
      • Other organizations and brands that purchased .hiv domains include Amazon.com, BMW, Gilead Sciences, Instagram, LinkedIn, Paulaner Brewery, Plus.de, POZ magazine, Samsung, Sixt, TED, Tumblr, and Wired.

    • Registration and zone statistics (historical):

      • In 2014 dotHIV reported 10,000 requests for .hiv domains (a projected figure cited with hypothetical revenue if all were sold at €150).
      • In April 2014, there were 345 paid registrations generating about $83,000 in revenue.
      • Domain Name Wire reported roughly 500 .hiv registrations in the zone file in September 2015.

    • Funding model and recipients:

      • dotHIV identified initial projects in Rwanda (We-ActsX), South Africa, Turkey, and the United States focusing on patient access to HIV/AIDS treatment.
      • The initiative intended to allow .hiv domain owners to vote on which projects to support in the future.

    Operator

    Internet Naming Co.

    Whois

    % IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object

domain:       HIV

organisation: Internet Naming Co.
address:      23 Lime Tree Bay, West Bay
address:      Grand Cayman KY1-1505
address:      Cayman Islands (the)

contact:      administrative
name:         Shayan Rostam
organisation: Internet Naming Co.
address:      23 Lime Tree Bay, West Bay
address:      Grand Cayman KY1-1505
address:      Cayman Islands (the)
phone:        +1.424.888.0690
e-mail:       partners@inaming.co

contact:      technical
name:         Francisco Obispo
organisation: Tucows.com, Co.
address:      96 Mowat Avenue
address:      Toronto ON M6K3M1
address:      Canada
phone:        +1 (416) 535-0123
e-mail:       trs-ops@tucows.com

nserver:      NS01.TRS-DNS.COM 2620:57:4001:0:0:0:0:1 64.96.1.1
nserver:      NS01.TRS-DNS.INFO 185.159.198.3 2620:10a:80ab:0:0:0:0:3
nserver:      NS01.TRS-DNS.NET 2620:57:4002:0:0:0:0:1 64.96.2.1
nserver:      NS01.TRS-DNS.ORG 185.159.197.3 2620:10a:80aa:0:0:0:0:3
ds-rdata:     50937 13 2 139053a1dd36c05b171d5adb695cedcd3db6eea7b7a2b0700aadc4c8712b1344

whois:        whois.nic.hiv

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: https://internetnaming.co

created:      2014-05-22
changed:      2025-05-15
source:       IANA

    Registrars