A domain name registry, also called Network Information Centre (NIC), is part of the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet which converts domain names to IP addresses. It is an organization that manages the registration of Domain names within the top-level domains (such as .com or .org) for which it is responsible, controls the policies of domain name allocation, and technically operates its top-level domain. It is potentially distinct from a domain name registrar (retailers of domain names). Domain names are managed under a hierarchy headed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which manages the top of the DNS tree by administrating the data in the root nameservers. National domain name registries manage country code top-level domains (ccTLD) such DENIC in Germany (.de), or Nominet in the United Kingdom (for .uk), or CIRA in Canada (for .ca). Read the full background at Domain Registries Wikipedia