.MUSIC is launching more than just another TLD

The .MUSIC top-level-domain (TLD) is groundbreaking for the domain industry. The .MUSIC registry, in collaboration with its music partners, is designing and launching a purpose-built Music Services Platform available for use with .MUSIC domain names. Registered .MUSIC owners will gain privileged access and use of the platform at release and all planned future music innovations.

The upcoming music services at launch:

• Music Identification (ID.MUSIC): Single Sign-On (SSO) for seamless access and connectivity to services and the global music community.
• Music Discovery (SEARCH.MUSIC): A music exclusive search engine to make finding community members and music content simpler, faster and more enjoyable. Content on .MUSIC domain names receive higher rank and special features.
• Music Distribution Channels: Discovery, exposure and relationships, through channels like Rap.MUSIC (genre), Guitar.MUSIC (instrument), NewYork.MUSIC (geography), Manager.MUSIC (professional), Spanish.MUSIC (language) and hundreds more.

The .MUSIC Registy is committed to delivering continuous value for owners of .MUSIC domain names through innovation and expansion of music services for the music community.

What is the .music generic Top Level Domain Extension?

.MUSIC is a domain name extension exclusive for the global music community and industry. The .MUSIC initiative by DotMusic is a truly global .MUSIC community-led effort and the only initiative with enhanced music tailored policies that ensure that music artists, bands, industry professionals and organizations register a trusted, secure and verified .MUSIC domain – a safe, authenticated domain identity similar to that of a domain ending in .EDU or .GOV – and their own exclusive www.name.music web address.

The .MUSIC Initiative is supported by thousands of music-related entities and organizations with members representing over 95% of music globally, including the international bodies representing musicians and featured artists globally, the independent music community, the major labels, the major publishers, major collection societies (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC), the Recording Academy/Grammys, major distributors and many other music communities.

How is .MUSIC different from .COM, .NET, .ORG etc.?

1. .MUSIC is exclusive only to legitimate members of the global music community.
2. .MUSIC is governed and controlled by the global music community. Each music constituent community type^* has a governance seat on the multi-stakeholder .MUSIC advisory board.
   *Constituent types include artists/bands, major labels, independent labels, publishers, songwriters, performance rights organizations, music collection societies, music unions, music managers, music agents, music promoters, government ministries of culture, music/art councils, music export offices, music associations, music radio and many other constituent types.
3. .MUSIC's community application is supported by a majority of the global music community in terms of headcount, and growing.
4. .MUSIC has enhanced safeguards to protect intellectual property, prevent cybersquatting and eliminating copyright infringement.
5. .MUSIC has incorporated all IFPI/RIAA intellectual property provisions that include policies to stop domain hopping, takedown policies in case of piracy, authorization provisions, permanent blocks, privacy and proxy provisions, true name/address mandates and trusted sender complaint policies - amongst others.
6. .MUSIC requires registration validation through a mandatory two-step phone and email process.
7. .MUSIC protects names of famous music artists and brands by giving registration priority to those entities during a priority-based launch phase. .MUSIC also gives registration priority to community members belonging to legitimate music community member organizations to spur adoption, trust and safety.
8. .MUSIC has domain naming conditions that eliminate cybersquatting and famous music brand trademark infringement. Registrant are only allowed to register their own name, acronym, or "Doing Business As".
9. .MUSIC only allows legal music content and legal music usage.
10. .MUSIC will take down any domain infringing on any of its enhanced safeguard policies.

What is the DotMusic Mission for .MUSIC gTLD?

While focusing on furthering the common interest shared by its global community it serves, the legal promotion and distribution of music, its purpose is:

1. Creating a trusted, safe online haven for music consumption and licensing.
2. Establishing a safe home on the Internet for Music Community members.
3. Protecting intellectual property and fighting piracy.
4. Supporting musicians' welfare, rights and fair compensation.
5. Promoting music and the arts, cultural diversity, and music education.
6. Following a multi-stakeholder approach of fair representation of all types of global music constituents, without discrimination, including both commercial and non-commercial entities.

.MUSIC Timeline & Launch Schedule

Sunrise Phase

Dates: September 11, 2023 through November 15, 2023
Eligibility: Brands registered in the Trademark Clearinghouse with a valid SMD file.
Pricing: $1,000 Registration Fee

General Availability

Dates: April 10, 2024
Eligibility: Any user with a music nexus.
Pricing: $100 Registration Fee

Who can register a .MUSIC domain name?

To register a .MUSIC domain name, you must have a nexus with the global music community.

Individuals can register under their legal name as a musician, band, or professional in the music industry. If the name of a group or performance is not registered, it's necessary to create an initial music record or establish music connections that can be substantiated or confirmed prior to registering the corresponding domain name.

Organizations or Entities can be eligible under their recognized music brand or company name, provided they have registered trademarks and other official documents. The registry may set aside certain words related to geography, genre, and general terms.