Cooperatives
A generic top-level domain intended for the use of cooperatives.
It was a part of ICANN’s announcement in late 2000 of a phased release of seven new generic top-level domains gTLDs intended in part to take the pressure off the overcrowded .com domain.
It was backed by a coalition of interest groups, was developed by Poptel in the UK and became operational on January 30, 2002.
.coop is sponsored top-level domain and restricted to those who meet specified criteria: cooperative-type organizations or a wholly owned subsidiary.
Its sponsor is DotCooperation LLC (also known as dotCoop), which was created as a subsidiary of the American NCBA to operate the TLD.
Registrations are processed via accredited registrars.