Internet Domain Names Could Soon Include .Trump, .Fart, and .TaylorSwift
The organization overseeing web addresses is considering over 1,600 new top-level domains, with notable applications from political figures and celebrities.
The landscape of the internet's address system is poised for a significant transformation, with the potential introduction of new top-level domains (TLDs) that could include highly personalized or unusual terms. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a U.S.-based non-profit responsible for managing web addresses, has received applications for 1,615 new TLDs, marking the most extensive expansion since 2012. This process allows for almost any word to be registered as a domain suffix, moving beyond familiar extensions like .com or .org.
Among the more unconventional applications are .fart, .meow, .bro, and .god. Notably, Donald Trump's trademark management affiliate, DTTM TLD, LLC, has applied for the domain .trump. Similarly, TAS Rights Management, LLC, the entity controlling Taylor Swift's name and likeness, has applied for .taylorswift.
These applications represent a departure from the more common generic TLDs like .tea or .advice that were also submitted. The last significant expansion in 2012 introduced domains such as .plumbing, .wedding, and .pizza.
The financial implications of securing TLD rights are substantial. Application fees alone start at $227,000, and bidding wars can escalate costs into the millions. Companies like Nu Dot Co reportedly paid $135 million for .web, and Google secured .app for $25 million in 2015. The lucrative nature of TLDs is demonstrated by Verisign, which generates $1.5 billion annually from .com domain rentals.
Several prominent technology companies are also vying for new domains, particularly those related to artificial intelligence. OpenAI has applied for 15 domains, including .openai, .chatgpt, and .codex. Meta is seeking 21 new domains, such as .aiglasses and .muse, while Anthropic has applied for .anthropic and .claude. A total of 13 companies, including OpenAI, are competing for the .agent domain, and seven are vying for .agi (artificial general intelligence).
ICANN is scheduled to make final decisions on these new addresses by November 17. However, the process has drawn criticism from online safety advocates. A 2023 study by the DNS Research Foundation indicated that domains managed under ICANN are disproportionately associated with malicious activity, such as phishing and malware, compared to those administered by European registries. The study suggested that European registries' more rigorous checks on domain owner identities may contribute to this difference.
Kurtis Lindqvist, President and CEO of ICANN, stated that these applications highlight how organizations globally are seeking innovative ways to establish online identities and engage with internet users. Despite the potential for novel and humorous domains, the underlying process involves significant investment and strategic competition among corporations, individuals, and community groups.
