.search

Status:	Proposed
Country:	International
Type:	Generic
Category:	Technology
More information:

.search is a proposed TLD in ICANN's New gTLD Program.

Applicants

1. Amazon
2. Donuts (Bitter McCook, LLC) - This applicant submitted a Public Interest Commitment, which can be downloaded here.
3. Famous Four Media (dot Now Limited)
4. Google (Charleston Road Registry Inc.)

Community Objections against Google

The Initiative for a Competitive Online Marketplace (ICOMP) filed a community objection against the Google application. Fairsearch.org filed a Community Objection against the Google application as well. Both objections failed and were dismissed, allowing Google to proceed with its application. The objections failed on the grounds that the objectors failed to persuade the panelist that granting Google the .search string would cause material detriment to the "search" community.

GAC Early Warnings

The applications from Amazon and Google were issued a GAC Early Warning from the representative of Australia and GAC Chair, Heather Dryden. The warning system is noted as a strong recommendation on behalf of national governments to the ICANN Board that a given TLD application should be denied as it stands. Applicants are encouraged to work with objecting GAC members.

The warning states that the applicant is "seeking exclusive access to a common generic string .. that relates to a broad market sector," which Ms. Dryden notes could have unintended consequences and a negative impact on competition.

Google's Dotless TLD proposal

Google's application includes a proposal for a "dotless" TLD, which has been with significant objection from Microsoft and other companies. An excerpt from Google's application explains the proposal: "Charleston Road Registry will provide a service on the dotless search domain that will allow users to designate the search functionality of their choice and then perform queries that will automatically be redirected to the appropriate website. This facility should provide simple, consistent access to the userʹs preferred search functionality that does not exist today."

Governmental Advisory Committee. Considers and provides advice on the activities of ICANN as they relate to concerns of governments, particularly matters where there may be an interaction between ICANN's policies and various laws and international agreements or where they may affect public policy issues (ICANN Bylaws).

Top-Level Domain