The .MUSIC OECD Program

New gTLDs: "Reminder"

A few things that I noticed about new gTLDs recently:

• ICANN: "...we anticipate that the AGB will be finalized in May 2025, which enables the application round to open in Q2 2026 (with the goal of April 2026). Any delays to the timeline of the Policy Implementation work stream will cause delays to the opening of the round" (source).
• The .MUSIC Sunrise Period starts 11 September 2023 to 15 November 2023 (source).
• It is over for Jean Lassalle, Former Deputy in the National Assembly of France, to complain about the .LASALLE new gTLD, the Trademark Claims Period eneded on Jul 2023 (source). Note that this is a joke.
• On the .HOTEL Independent Review Process (IRP) documents, there is something new dated July 2023 but good luck with this reading (source).
• The .SPORT new gTLD was transferred in July (source).

Some idea about .MUSIC

We're all now waiting for the .MUSIC new gTLD to launch and many predict it will be a success. If I was in the music business, I'd definitely consider changing my domain name to one of these. Of course I'd keep my old domain name but changing to a ".music" one would be my move.

Constantine Roussos

New gTLDs are ten years old now and they are here to stay; the "music" sign is universal, it is not French, but it is know from all ;-) so chances are high that such a domain name extension meets with adoption.

I don't follow many people on Twitter, but I follow .MUSIC founder Constantine Roussos. I once met him in the UK and the guy had a strong fight in front of him with seven more applicants who wanted to create this same registry and I was pretty sure that he wouldn't win that war: the guy had Amazon and Google in front of him...

...but he won: the official .MUSIC website says: "Supporting organizations with members representing over 99% of music consumed globally". What a success.

The idea

Since this .MUSIC enters in the history of Internet and Constantine Roussos is probably working hard with multiple partners to guarantee its success, I'd be interested in pushing this idea to his Registry: as a potential consumer of a ".music" domain name (I play the triangle*), I'd be interested in knowing what is the number of the domain name I just created.

Some luxury items enter the history because they are numbered and I would very much like to know if triangle.music (for example) was the number 3 or number 10 domain name created in the history of internet. Domain names are created at the registry in a certain order, I am sure this number must not be a difficult one to extract.  

I hope he reads me.

* please don't register triangle.music, I want to be first to register that one.

The .MUSIC new gTLD is a go!

Domain names ending in ".music" (instead of ".com") are coming. The news is fresh and from the 8 applicants from 2012, one remains: Constantinos Roussos, from Music.us, is the final winner of this 7 years fight between multiple applicants.

Announced yesterday in a Tweet, Constantinos pointed mad new gTLD evangelists (like me) to a link proving the change:

• Application Status: Evaluation Complete
• Contention Resolution Status: Resolved

A "community" application

The application states that .MUSIC is a community application. It means that these domain names will be restricted to being registered by members of the music community. Let's hope that restrictions to future registrants (those who will register such domain names) won't block them from registering one. It is what happened to the applications of multiple registry Dominion Registry (and a few others), who finally decided to remove restrictions from some of their extensions.

Note that this TLD is already available in the monthly new gTLD reports from Jovenet Consulting.

What the application says
Question 18A from the application "Describe the mission/purpose of your proposed gTLD" is a rather long one so I extracted what I believe is of my personal and selfish interest. I'd suggest to read the full application for those who want full details:

The .MUSIC Mission / Purpose is:

• Creating a trusted, safe online haven for music consumption & licensing
• Establishing a safe home on the Internet for Music Community (ʺCommunityʺ) members regardless of locale or size
• Protecting intellectual property & fighting piracy
• Supporting Musiciansʹ welfare, rights & fair compensation
• Promoting music and the arts, cultural diversity & music education
• Following a multi-stakeholder approach of fair representation of all types of global music constituents, including a rotating regional Advisory Committee Board working in the Community’s best interest

.MUSIC will effectively differentiate itself by addressing the key online usage issues of safety, trust, consistency, brand recognition as well as communicate site subject-matter: music-related content. The TLD will be exclusive to the Community and will incorporate enhanced safeguards and Use policies to protect creators, intellectual property and rights holders.

DotMusic will also provide non-registry services and activities which have been established through ongoing outreach efforts. Community members need to be able to distinguish themselves from illegal or unlicensed sites. Ensuring monies flow to rightful owners and the Music Community is critical to the .MUSIC Mission. Purpose-driven services and activities are:

1. Development of Music Community Social Network Premium Domain Channels (Channels) sorted by category types, e.g. genres. It will leverage Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices to improve .MUSIC website search result rankings. The objective is for .MUSIC domains to signal a badge of trust that enables search engines to provide music consumers more relevant and safer search results while reducing infringing and unlicensed rogue sites. Premium Channel development will also include a global Song Registry;
2. Promoting arts and music through sponsorships, events and Music Community activities; Enriching society with artistic and cultural diversity;
3. Advancing music education and the study of music in school curriculum by donating proceeds of domain registrations to relevant causes;
4. Re-inventing music discovery and search innovation by leading the way to establish the Industry standard for official music sites to benefit the at-large global Music Community and the Internet;
5. Enabling legal music licensing via a global Song Registry akin to the International Music Registry (IMR - www.wipo.int⁄imr) & Global Repertoire Database (GRD - www.globalrepertoiredatabase.com ⁄ International Copyright Enterprise) initiatives. 

DotMusic serves the Community without conflicts of interest and is accountable to the Community by establishing an Advisory Committee & Policy Board with representation from each constituency in the Community. The Committee will advise and provide perspective on .MUSIC issues such as broad policy matters and introductions of new services to meet Community needs.

The Premium Channels will maximize the competitive landscape and innovation in both the music and domain space.

A Global Protected Marks Lists (GPML) will reserve all major music brands and established artists, such as RIAA-certified platinum-selling bands.

Phased launches provides rights holders a first-come in the .MUSIC Sunrise, auction of multiple initial landrush domain inquiries, and eventually allows all stakeholders of the Community to register. All registrants must adhere to restricted Use, Name and Anti-Abuse policies that will be monitored to prevent bad practices harming the Music Community.

The full application can be downloaded here.

Note that what the applications says is now "dated" so anything can happen. Oh, and by the way, I can't wait for Madonna.music

Approved Board Resolutions for new gTLDs

This is an extract of the approved board resolutions from a recent regular meeting dated 29 October 2017 of the ICANN board. Content not related to new gTLDs was removed.

On the .GAY and .MUSIC new gTLDs

The Board has adopted the "BAMC Recommendation on Request 17-4".

In simple words: for the moment nothing changes and procedures continue.

On the .AMAZON new gTLD

The Board asks the GAC:

1. if it has any information to provide to the Board as it relates to the "merits-based public policy reasons," regarding the GAC's advice that the Amazon applications should not proceed; or any other new or additional information to provide to the Board regarding the GAC's advice that the Amazon applications should not proceed.
2. if it has any new or additional information to provide to the Board, it does so by the conclusion of the ICANN61 meeting scheduled to take place from 10-15 March 2018, in order to assist the Board's appropriate and prompt consideration.

In simple words: for the moment nothing changes until 10-15 March 2018.

To learn more.

The .RAP new gTLD

Many are familiar with the .MUSIC new gTLD which should launch...someday. For those interested, I think it is also important to inform that there are two three other new gTLDs related to music:

1. The .HIPHOP new gTLD (1 960+ domains sold worldwide);
2. The .COUNTRY new gTLD (1 470+ domains sold);
3. The .DANCE new gTLD (5,240+ domains sold).

Kanye West
For a reason I still don't understand, when I think "Rap", I think of "Kanye West": for the quality of his Rap probably, but maybe also for his...eccentricity. His wife has probably something to do with this by the way. I also think about Birdman, Diddy, Dr. Dre, Jay Z and 50 Cent too.

A domain name extension is unique and whatever is said about them, each new gTLD application is a monopoly too.

2 reasons
There are two reasons why I believe that famous rappers would be successful applicants for the .RAP new gTLD:

1. Eccentric people like uniqueness and a monopoly clearly answers that need of uniqueness: wouldn't a famous rapper want to be the only person to own the .RAP domain name extension for domain names such as www.birdman.rap or www.music.rap?
   Another reason: can you imagine 50 Cent paying Jay Z to register the domain name "50cent.rap"? ;-)
2. The first round of the ICANN new gTLD program clearly showed that new domain names are difficult to sell and to be able to sell, you clearly need a Dr .Dre to show off with a domain name ending in ".rap". Such famous rappers like Kayne West and Jay Z are famous enough to propagate such information. 

Good to know

• "rap" is not prohibited by the ICANN to submit an application: it is no ISO 3166 alpha-3 code;
• there was no application submitted in round one of the ICANN new gTLD program;
• the RAP business is a multi-billion industry: can you imagine what a .RAP new gTLD would generate in terms of domain names sold?

We are in 2017 and round two of the next round of the ICANN new gTLD program shouldn't start (be announced?) before 2020, so there's still plenty of time to prepare a project...or just write this TLD on a list.

The .RAP new gTLD is "not" one the TLDs listed in my official list.

(but shush, I didn't say anything)

The new gTLD info for Monday the 15th

That's right: we didn't deliver our Newsletter on last Friday but delivering everyday is not something easy so...it happens. IT happens when there is not so much to say. The good news is that info is collected for the next publication so you never really miss a new gTLD NEWS: it still reaches out to you.
Today, there is content in French but expect much more by the end of the day:

1. HOT - Registry responds to MarkMonitor: Why Brands Are Missing The Boat;
2. Three Million domains for this backend Registry;
3. Cost of new domains reduces spam attacks (in French);
4. New gTLDs and .SEO: www.diamonds or www.diamonds.com for SEO?
5. Another "Multiple Registry" wants to serve the Chinese market;
6. There are now more .CLUB domains than .MOBI;
7. In French : new gTLDs  the in presidential elections;
8. HOT - which domain name extensions should a company secure?
9. Which is the new Registry with largest NAF cases?
10. Statistics:
1. French new gTLDs: a report by the Nameshield Group.
2. .CITY new gTLDs;
11. Did you know there is a new gTLD for physiotherapist (or physical therapist)?
12. Institution to help .PHYSIO new gTLD's promotion; 
13. An article on .MUSIC new gTLD;
14. Another article on .MUSIC new gTLD's rejection (CPE);
15. Partnership between Xbox and Steam coming: what about .GAME domain names?
16. Much more coming during the day.

The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Wednesday: the new gTLD info of the day

The Music Club

Next-Generation gTLD Registration Directory Service

I am pleased to provide you with an update about ICANN's progress on establishing a policy framework for a next-generation gTLD Registration Directory Service (RDS) to replace WHOIS.

https://www.icann.org/news/blog/paving-the-way-for-a-next-generation-gtld-registration-directory-service

Release of Country and Territory Names

New gTLDs concerned: .STUDY, .COURSES, .LAMBORGHINI, XN--3OQ18VL8PN36A, .VOLKSWAGEN, .BUGATTI, .AUDI and .DELTA TLDs

As required by the RSEP, ICANN has undertaken a preliminary determination on whether these RSEP proposals might raise significant competition, security or stability issues. ICANN’s preliminary review (based on the information provided) did not identify any such issues.

https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2015-12-15-en

13,000 Great New Registry Reserved .CLUB Names Added To Registrar Tiered Premiums!

These newly release names include many three to four character names as well as over 5,000 domains that are priced below $100 USD. Some of the names in the new inventory have never been released before, and some were previously registered and dropped. There are great, brandable names such as:
bicycle.club, carsharing.club, clothing.club, frequentflyer.club

http://nic.club/13000-great-new-registry-reserved-club-names-added-to-registrar-tiered-premiums/

Does .sucks suck?
Does .sucks suck? Let me start by saying, you can’t blame the registry operator for anything I’m about to write about. In essence the buck stops with the creators of this programme for new generic top level extensions and that’s ICANN.
http://blog.dotegy.com/dot-sucks/
2015 in Review: The Year That Was in New TLDs
On the whole, 2015 has been an incredibly successful and positive year for our new TLD industry. Given the challenges of rolling out such a complex program, and the fact that we are increasingly facing them in front of a global audience, we have achieved some significant milestones as a community that I think should be celebrated. Let's just take a moment to review just a few of these.
http://www.circleid.com/posts/20151215_2015_in_review_the_year_that_was_in_new_tlds/

Radiohead backs .music community bid
Ed O’Brien, guitarist with the band Radiohead, has become the latest musician to throw his support behind DotMusic’s community-based application for the new gTLD .music.
http://domainincite.com/19689-radiohead-backs-music-community-bid

The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

The new gTLD info of the day (Wednesday)

Wonder.land
wonder.land is at the same time a musical and a website build with a new Top Level Domain. The musical is described as ” inspired by Lewis Carroll’s iconic story, wonder.land is a coming-of-age adventure that explores the blurred boundaries between our online and offline lives.” It has been created by Damon Albarn, Moira Buffini and Rufus Norris, and is playing since summer 2015.
http://dotstories.com/wonder-dot-land/

The New gTLD Domain Name Disputes
Much of the attention on domain name disputes among the new generic top-level domain names (gTLDs) has focused on the new dispute policy that arrived with them — the Uniform Rapid Suspension System (URS). But, an increasing number of new gTLD registrations are being decided under the pre-existing (and well-entrenched) Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP).
http://www.gigalaw.com/2015/12/09/here-come-the-new-gtld-domain-name-disputes/

CentralNic Buys Registrar Instra.com
CentralNic (LON:CNIC) is buying privately-owned domain name registrar, Instra Group, funded in part from a £10mln placing of stock with investors at 40p a share, for almost £16mln (A$33mln).
http://www.thedomains.com/2015/12/08/centralnic-buys-registrar-instra-com-stock-is-down-almost-20/

Decent .club domain names dropping soon
Again, here are some of the gems on the .CLUB SnapNames monthly auction. My team filtered out some decent names set to drop shortly. Any of these can be bid on by SnapNames. If they do not sell on SnapNames the names will be placed in the June 15th, 2016 tiered pricing premium name list set to be made available through the registrars.
https://www.namepros.com/threads/official-club-showcase-and-discussion-thread.825755/page-16#post-5172556

.MUSIC new gTLD: Imogen Heap Speaks For Herself
Pass the ad and listen to Imogen mention the coming .MUSIC new gTLD. It starts at 12:25 (Yes, I listened to the first 12 minutes)
"Imogen Heap chats with Jordan Crook about her MiMu gesture-control gloves, the single biggest problem facing musicians today, and what she’d like the future of the industry to look like."
http://techcrunch.com/video/imogen-heap-speaks-for-herself/519315651/
gTLDs: Baby, you can drive my .car
December 2015 will see the launch of three generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs), all focused on the automobile industry. However, the launch of .CAR, .CARS and .AUTO are unlikely to drive up domain name registration volumes due to the very high registration fees being charged by Cars Registry Limited, the joint venture that is the Registry operator for all three gTLDs.
http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=7da9abbe-3c4f-4b08-8bf2-c7ad67dc2b19

Four Sunrise Periods launching today:

1. .CARS new gTLD
2. .AUTO
3. .CAR
4. .コム (com)

https://secure.nameshield.net/recherche-dispo/calendar.php?lang=en

Verisign appeals XYZ court loss
Just days after .XYZ asked a court to force Verisign to pay its legal bills in a lawsuit; Verisign upped the ante by appealing the case.
http://domainnamewire.com/2015/12/09/verisign-appeals-xyz-court-loss/

The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements