.church
| Status: | Proposed |
| Registry: | Donuts |
| Registry Backend: | Donuts |
| Type: | Generic |
| Category: | Culture |
| Priority #: | 140 - Donuts (Holly Fields, LLC) 1784 - Life Covenant Church, Inc. |
More information: 
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.church is a proposed TLD in ICANN's New gTLD Program.
Applicants
Two entities submitted applications to serve as registry operator for the .church TLD:[1]
- Life Covenant Church, Inc., an inter-denominational church
- Donuts (Holly Fileds, LLC), this is one of 307 new gTLD by Donuts. Each application via a different LLC.[2]
Independent Objector
The Independent Objector (IO) is a non-partisan, contracted appointee whose role was mandated by the applicant guidebook for ICANN's New gTLD Program, and who is responsible for officially objecting to new gTLDs that are dangerous to the public good. This process also involves reviewing "controversial applications," those that have received significant public comments, and investigating whether a public need for objection is provided for tin these comments. Thus, the Independent Objector issued a preliminary report on .church, noting that the articles and objections to the applications are largely supportive of a .church TLD but call in to question either applicant's ability to administer the TLD fairly. He sought assurances from both applicants to ensure that they would keep the TLD open and inclusive to all those that identify with the term "church" and use it to describe their religious habits, both were forthcoming and he concluded that no objection was warranted.[3]