# Can you sell from a web address.org?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 1, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953 "2004-05-01T06:58:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cowgirlup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cowgirlup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirlup)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/1 "2004-05-01T06:58:37Z")
I am new to the pc world and have recently signed up with a web host and purchased a domain name.I uploaded all my ebooks to my new site(which was no small task for me)for the purpose of storage and to direct customers there to download the ebooks after purchasing from auctions.My domain name ends in .org.I have been informed by a friend that my domain name must end in .com in order to use it to for this purpose.Is this true?!PLEASE someone tell me I didnt just waste money on a domain name I cant use! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/2 "2004-05-01T07:09:58Z")
The .com (for ‘commercial’) and .org (for ‘non-profit organisation’) is just a helpful guide, and not any kind of rule or law. You can use whatever you like, and do whatever you like, from any domain. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirlup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cowgirlup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirlup)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/3 "2004-05-01T07:19:07Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > The .com (for ‘commercial’) and .org (for ‘non-profit organisation’) is just a helpful guide, and not any kind of rule or law. You can use whatever you like, and do whatever you like, from any domain. Thank you so much for your reply to my question.Im a mom of 4 boys testing the waters of home based business and sure needed to hear that! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/4 "2004-05-01T09:40:05Z")
Glad to be of help. More information can be found [here](http://www.pir.org/faqs/general#whoallowed). ---
**Author:** ![Bob55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/5 "2004-05-01T17:41:50Z")
> [@cowgirlup](#): > > I am new to the pc world and have recently signed up with a web host and purchased a domain name.I uploaded all my ebooks to my new site(which was no small task for me)for the purpose of storage and to direct customers there to download the ebooks after purchasing from auctions.My domain name ends in .org.I have been informed by a friend that my domain name must end in .com in order to use it to for this purpose.Is this true?!PLEASE someone tell me I didnt just waste money on a domain name I cant use! :smack: I heard the same thing when I started my Family Tree website. I called it .com just because it’s the most common and probably easiest to remember, and someone told me it had to be .org because it’s not a company. Well it’s been up and running for a year and a half and no police have knocked on my door yet, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed!!! ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/6 "2004-05-01T18:25:22Z")
> [@Bob55](#): > > I heard the same thing when I started my Family Tree website. I called it .com just because it’s the most common and probably easiest to remember, and someone told me it had to be .org because it’s not a company. Well it’s been up and running for a year and a half and no police have knocked on my door yet, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed!!! Nonsense. The .com just means it’s a commercial web server, as opposed to a government one (.gov), a military one (.mil), an educational institution (.edu) or a non-profit organization (.org) As for the OP, I don’t know if there are any set-in-stone _laws_ as to what you can use for a domain name, but if you are running a for-profit business but claiming tax-exempt status, you’ll get in trouble. Even if you do not claim tax-exempt status, you may get into some trouble if someone accuses you of misrepresenting your enterprise ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/7 "2004-05-01T18:29:33Z")
> [@scotandrsn](#): > > Nonsense. The .com just means it’s a commercial web server, as opposed to a government one (.gov), a military one (.mil), an educational institution (.edu) or a non-profit organization (.org) Clarification - While you are free to set up a web site using a .com or .org domain, the .gov, .mil, and .edu domains are restricted to the entities qualified to own them. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/8 "2004-05-01T18:38:21Z")
> [@scotandrsn](#): > > Nonsense. The .com just means it’s a commercial web server, as opposed to a government one (.gov), a military one (.mil), an educational institution (.edu) or a non-profit organization (.org) Nonsense, yourself. There’s no reason why a single webserver couldn’t host all of these domains at once. The domain name extension has no bearing on who runs the server, just on who runs the website. Granted, schools, governments and military establishments generally own and run their own servers, but that need not be the case, necessarily. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/9 "2004-05-01T18:39:59Z")
It’s not against the rules of Internet governance and presumably (IANAL) not against the law, but experienced web users might be a bit miffed when they see a business working from an .org domain. It’s contrary to a lot of people’s expectations (not a legal but a social issue). But then, the US Navy uses [navy.com](http://www.navy.com) for recruitment purposes, which would strictly speaking imply that they are a commercial enterprise. (accepting contracts against small island nations, perhaps? 😛 ) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/10 "2004-05-02T00:51:33Z")
In addition to .org and .com, there’s also .net (not to be confused with .NET™). There is _no_ authority in charge of assigning what types of businesses can get either of the three. So when you get serious about your web business, it’s a real good idea to grab all three. In addition, there are the newer .mus and such domains, and like .edu, .gov, and .mil, they are also restricted to specifics types of businesses. And then there are the country ones .uk, etc. and even .us which is rarely used. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2004, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/11 "2004-05-02T01:33:05Z")
I chose “[coalgoddess.net](http://coalgoddess.net)” because I am not a business, do not intend to ever use my domains to hawk wares, am not an “organization”, and primarily host my Board. Thus, in my mind “.net” made the most sense, because esentially I am hosting a network or providing a network cul-de-sac off of the Internet. Well, that’s my reasoning anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2004, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/12 "2004-05-02T01:39:02Z")
[http://www.cameltoe.org/gear.html](http://www.cameltoe.org/gear.html) sells stuff. (link may not be work-safe) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/13 "2004-05-02T02:45:55Z")
> [@scotandrsn](#): > > Even if you do not claim tax-exempt status, you may get into some trouble if someone accuses you of misrepresenting your enterprise But, if you read the OP, nothing is being sold off the website, it’s simply used for storage. It’s like someone winning an auction and the seller saying "You can pay me and pick it up at my work…the public library/Salvation Army/the local soup kitchen whatever. ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/14 "2004-05-04T00:34:13Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Nonsense, yourself. There’s no reason why a single webserver couldn’t host all of these domains at once. The domain name extension has no bearing on who runs the server, just on who runs the website. Granted, schools, governments and military establishments generally own and run their own servers, but that need not be the case, necessarily. You are correct. I posted in haste, and used the phrase “web server” where it was inappropriate. Thanks for the correction. ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/15 "2004-05-04T00:48:05Z")
> [@Joey P](#): > > But, if you read the OP, nothing is being sold off the website, it’s simply used for storage. It’s like someone winning an auction and the seller saying "You can pay me and pick it up at my work…the public library/Salvation Army/the local soup kitchen whatever. Good point. My only caveat was that if the website engages in the exchange of money in any way, and someone takes the “.org” extension to mean that some funds are going to charity, then finds out later they’re not, they could be in a mood to stir up trouble (they may not have a _legitimate_ gripe, and all would eventually pan out, but the lawyer’s banker doesn’t care either way…) I suggest some language on the site making it very clear that it is not a charitable organization. This may even help matters, in that, without explanation, the “.org” may make people wonder what sort of people their money is going to. Think about it: you win an auction, and suddely you are receiving goods from some unknown “organization”. Hmmmm… All I’m saying is, keep your bases covered by making sure your customers know what’s what at all points of the transaction. ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-sell-from-a-web-address-org/242953/16 "2004-05-04T03:12:50Z")
Whoa… wait just a minute here… Just because you’re a .ORG doesn’t mean that you’re a _non-profit charity_. .ORG was originally designed for groups that were neither commercial in nature (.com) or a network (.net) or run by an educational institution (.edu). As you can see from the examples below, many open-source software sites are .ORG along with some trade groups and international organziations. [http://www.w3.org](http://www.w3.org) [http://www.apache.org](http://www.apache.org) > **[Internet for people, not profit](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/)** > > Mozilla is the not-for-profit behind the lightning fast Firefox browser. We put people over profit to give everyone more power online. [http://www.openoffice.org](http://www.openoffice.org) > **[Linux.org](https://www.linux.org/)** > > Friendly Linux Forum [http://www.freebsd.org](http://www.freebsd.org) > **[GIMP](https://www.gimp.org)** > > GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program: The Free and Open Source Image Editor [http://www.gnu.org](http://www.gnu.org) [http://support.open-rsc.org](http://support.open-rsc.org) > **[Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters](https://slashdot.org)** > > Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters. Timely news source for technology related news with a heavy slant towards Linux and Open Source issues. > **[IEEE - The world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to...](https://www.ieee.org/)** > > IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. [http://www.worldbank.org](http://www.worldbank.org) > **[World Trade Organization - Global trade](https://www.wto.org)** > > Global trade - The World Trade Organization (WTO) deals with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. Some of the above sites sell things from their sites; IEEE for example sells paper copies of RFCs and other things. Hardly “commercial” stuff, but it goes on nevertheless. I own my .com domain and also own the .co.uk variant and can tell you that UK law does not require you to be a UK citizen, corporation or other institution to do so. .org is the same.