Legal and Ethical Context
The PARS.ORG domain name and the .PARS Registry Agreement under ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) are digital identifiers that intersect with cultural heritage and intellectual property rights. These assets were originally intended to represent the Persian community globally, yet their current status reflects a disconnect between digital governance and cultural representation.
Legally, ICANN Registry Agreements are binding contracts that define the responsibilities of registry operators. The .PARS top-level domain (TLD) was introduced as a Community Priority Application, intended to serve the Persian-speaking and culturally Persian population. However, the termination of the registry agreement and the absence of an active Iranian cultural institution managing it raise concerns about the stewardship of cultural symbols in cyberspace.
Cultural Relativism and the Meaning of PARS
The word “PARS” (پارس) derives from the Old Persian “Pârsa,” referring to the ancestral homeland of the Persian people. It is historically linked to the Achaemenid Empire and the broader lineage of Medes, Parthians, and other indigenous tribes of the Iranian plateau. In this context, cultural relativism demands that digital assets bearing the name PARS be managed in a way that honors and reflects the values, traditions, and historical continuity of Persian civilization.
Currently, PARS.ORG and the .PARS domain do not represent the cultural slogan or identity of these interconnected communities. They are not affiliated with any official Iranian heritage organization or intellectual property ecosystem, which undermines their legitimacy as cultural symbols.
A Call for Cultural Reclamation and Ethical Governance
This issue is more than administrative—it is a call for cultural identity and ethical governance. The Woman, Life, Freedom movement, which advocates for human dignity and democratic transformation, resonates with ancient Persian principles rooted in Zoroastrian ethics: truthfulness, transparency, and justice.
A Pan-Iranist Progressive vision would support the following:
Reinstating the .PARS domain under a transparent, community-led registry that respects Persian heritage.
Building a global Persian intellectual property ecosystem that supports cultural R&D and innovation.
Encouraging Iranian governance to adopt Zoroastrian-inspired principles for public accountability and civic engagement.
Toward a Global Persian Intellectual Property Framework
To honor the legacy of PARS, digital domains must be treated as cultural assets rather than commercial commodities. Legal frameworks should recognize collective cultural ownership, especially for indigenous and historical identities. Ethical stewardship must prioritize community representation, linguistic preservation, and historical accuracy.
This is a call to reconnect digital infrastructure with cultural heritage, ensuring that the name PARS continues to carry the weight of its royal and revolutionary legacy.