.norton

Status:	Delegated
Registry Provider:	Verisign
Type:	Brand TLD
More information:

.norton is a Brand TLD delegated to the Root Zone in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The registry is run by Symantec.

Application Details

The following is excerpted from the applicant's response to question #18:

"Symantec Corporation (“Symantec”) is a leading global provider of information security and protection, serving the needs of consumers around the world, with more than 18,500 employees and operations in numerous countries. Symantec’s products are available for purchase online to consumers and Symantec’s online content is accessible in the .COM gTLD and in multiple ccTLDs, including .CA, .DE, .EU, and .RU. Symantec is applying for two branded gTLDs: .SYMANTEC and .NORTON.

The intended future mission and purpose of the .NORTON gTLD is to serve as a trusted, hierarchical, secure, and intuitive namespace provided by Symantec for its consumers. Symantec is committed to moving forward with a .NORTON gTLD application; however at the time of filing this application, there has not been enough time, and currently there is not enough market information available, to fully analyze and evaluate all potential use case options.

Symantec will be analyzing and evaluating other .BRAND gTLD applications as well as general market adoption to determine short- and long-term potential best-in-class use case options to most effectively serve and enhance Symantec’s online strategy as a leading provider of information security and protection. As a company, Symantec’s unique focus is to eliminate risks to information, technology, and processes independent of the device, platform, interaction, or location. Symantec helps individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and global organizations ensure that their information, technology infrastructures, and related processes are protected and easily managed. Symantec delivers solutions that allow customers to access information when they need it and make it available to all of those who should have access to it. The .NORTON gTLD will be in line with the company’s current focus by providing a trusted, hierarchical, secure, and intuitive namespace.

Although ICANN has not specifically recognized a .BRAND gTLD specification in the current version of the Applicant Guidebook, it is widely anticipated within the brand-owner community that this will become a specialty subset of gTLDs. The .NORTON gTLD is planned as a .BRAND gTLD with the goal of protecting Symantec’s online presence and identity; expanding its marketing and promotion efforts; providing a secure channel for online products and services; and offering a platform through which to consolidate many of the intellectual property activities of Symantec.

Symantec intends to initially limit registration and use of domain names within the .NORTON gTLD to Symantec and its qualified subsidiaries and affiliates. This initial limited use will allow Symantec to establish its operations and achieve full sustainability. This limited distribution coupled with the other requirements set forth in Specification 9 of the template Registry Agreement is intended to exempt Symantec from its annual Code of Conduct Compliance requirements."