Applying for a formal URN namespace

List of namespace registrations (may not be up to date - see RFC 3232):

Conditions for a name space in order to be accepted (cf. RFC 3406, section 3.3):

• The namespace must benefit at least a subset of users on the Internet, preferably without the use of proprietary protocols and tools.
• It must be explained how the namespace is maintained. For example:
  • What, if any, organizations are taking care of the namespace?
  • How are conflicting names avoided?
• It must be explained how the goal of persistent identification can be approximated or even achieved.

Registration process for an NID, a Namespace ID (cf. RFC 3406, sections 4.3 and B.2):

• The process:
  1. A proposal for an RFC is written. It may (or should or has to?) be based on the template in Appendix A, RFC 3406. Appendix B provides an example of a filled out template.
  2. The proposal is sent to the mailing list urn-nid@apps.ietf.org and send a copy to the I-D editor (I-D: "Internet Draft").
  3. The proposal is discussed on the mailing list for two weeks. If necessary, it needs to be resubmitted.
  4. The proposal is sent to the IESG.
  5. The IESG may:
     • request modifications.
     • direct discussion to a designated working group.
     • direct discussion to area experts.
     • etc.
  6. If the IESG approves the document, then a request is sent to IANA to register the requested NID.
• See RFC 2434 for "IETF Consensus" according to which NIDs are assigned.
• Part of the process is publication of a proposed namespace RFC by the IESG (Internet Engineering Steering Group).

Testing of namespaces (cf. RFC 3406, section 4.1): This can be done by prepending an "X-" to the namespace identifier, e.g. "X-trade". Of course, it cannot be guaranteed that different experimental namespaces do not conflict.