FAQs

.MUSIC is the world's only community-based top-level domain (TLD) and identity dedicated exclusively to the global music community: www.yourname.music

.MUSIC is designated by global Internet regulator ICANN as a “community-based” top-level domain that, according to ICANN's definitions, is “operated for the benefit of a clearly delineated [global music] community” and able to “substantiate its status as representative of the [global music ]community.”

Organizations with members representing over 95% of global music consumed have supported this global music community initiative to launch a safe, trusted and secure domain name and identity under the .MUSIC brand.

Some of these supporting organizations include:

• International Federation of Phonographic Industry (IFPI), representing the interests of the entire recording industry worldwide;
• International Confederation of Music Publishers (ICMP), the global voice of music publishing representing more than 90% of the world’s published music (more than 100 million works);
• International Federation of Musicians (FIM), representing the voice of musicians worldwide and international organization for musicians’ unions;
• International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), the global network of arts councils and ministries of culture with national members from over 70 countries comprised of governments’ Ministries of Culture and Arts Councils covering all continents;
• International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), the world's leading network of authors' societies representing the world's largest network in the creative sector with 228 societies in 120 countries;
• International Artist Organisation (IAO), the umbrella association for national organizations representing the rights and interests of music artists;
• International Society for Music Education (ISME), representing music education worldwide;
• International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC), an international network of organizations that document, promote and inform on the music of their country or region in a diversity of musical genres;
• Merlin Network, the global rights agency for the independent label sector, representing over 20,000 labels;
• Independent Music Companies Association (IMPALA), representing small, micro and medium sized music companies and self-releasing artists in Europe;
• Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), representing the interests of independent music trade associations globally;
• Many more supporting organizations

All members of the global music community are eligible to register under the .MUSIC top-level domain, including artists, creators, songwriters, bands, groups, industry professionals, music companies, music associations and music organizations. Literally anyone or any brand that has any legitimate interest in relation to music.

Our mission and purpose is to ensure that .MUSIC is a safe haven for authentic, trusted and secure interactions as well as legal music-related consumption. Content and usage is permitted under these non-exhaustive list of policies:

• Use only for music-related activities;
• Comply with applicable laws and regulations and not participate in, facilitate, or further illegal activities;
• Do not post or submit content that is illegal;
• Respect the intellectual property rights of others by posting or submitting only content that is owned, licensed, or otherwise have the right to post or submit;
• Do not willfully register a domain containing an established music brand’s name in bad faith that might be deemed confusing to Internet users and the global music community;
• Do not use any automated process to access or use the .MUSIC sites or any process, whether automated or manual, to capture data or content from any service for any reason; and
• Do not use any service or any process to damage, disable, impair, or otherwise attack .MUSIC websites or the networks connected to .MUSIC website

To ensure authenticity, trust and security across the entire .MUSIC ecosystem as well as to prevent cybersquatters and impersonators, all registrants must complete enhanced verification. This may include:

• Email verification
• Phone verification
• Real-time identity verification
• Music Community Member Organization API authentication

Once a registrant is verified, a registrant may receive numerous member benefits that include:

• A blue checkmark verification badge
• A unique .MUSIC community identification number
• A unique International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) number (if a registrant does not already have one)
• Exclusive .MUSIC members-only access to the .MUSIC Social Network, community-related services, events and initiatives
• Access to the .MUSIC Premium Channels aimed to increase branding exposure, business networking and revenue generating possibilities:
  • Genres e.g. Rock.music, HipHop.music, Pop.music , Country.music, Classical.music, Rap.music, Metal.music, Folk.music, Reggae.music etc.
  • Instruments e.g. Guitar.music, Drums.music, Bass.music, Piano.music, Trumpet.music, Saxophone.music, Vocal.music, ACapella.music etc.
  • Classifications e.g. Songwriter.music, , Guitarist.music, Cellist.music, Engineer.music, Manager.music, Label.music, Distributor.music etc.
  • Cities/Geographic Regions e.g. Paris.music, London.music, LosAngeles.music, Munich.music, Madrid.music, Melbourne.music, Tokyo.music etc.
  • Languages/Cultural e.g. Arabic.music, French.music, Greek.music, Chinese.music, Indian.music, Portuguese.music, Italian.music, African.music etc.
  • Other e.g. Lyrics.music, License.music, NFT.music, Live.music, Stream.music, Beats.music, Instruments.music, Tickets.music, Merch.music, Book.music etc.

To ensure security, trust and authenticity, the registration of  .MUSIC must represent the name or

• A name corresponding to the musician, band, company, organization; or
• An acronym or abbreviation corresponding to the registrant; or
• A name that recognizes or generally describes the registrant; or
• A name related to the mission or activities of the registrant

This also prevents impersonators and cybersquatters from exploiting members of the global music community and confusing Internet users that may lead to abuse.

There are three periods in relation to the .MUSIC launch, including two priority phases:

1. Sunrise period (Superseding priority phase)
   • Those entities with valid trademarks that have successfully filed their trademark with ICANN's Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) can claim their name
2. Music Community Member Organization period (MCMO priority phase) - Apply to become an MCMO reseller to offer .MUSIC to your members
   • Members of MCMOs have priority to register their name prior to the global launch called General Availability
3. General Availability (Global Launch)
   • Registrations are allocated on a first-come, first serve basis

In the meanwhile, you can pre-register .MUSIC for free to be kept up to date with respect to the .MUSIC launch and other related news. The .MUSIC pre-registration does not guarantee that you will be able to secure your name but serves as an expression of interest.

.MUSIC domain names will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In general, if there are multiple music entities that have an identical name, let's say John Smith, then the first one who registers JohnSmith.music name will be the registrant. Others can register alternate variations of the name, such as JSmith.music or JohnS.music etc.

Famous artists and brands can be protected under the Global Music Marks Protected List (GPML) to ensure that their names are protected and to prevent confusion. For example, Queen.music is reserved for the famous band called Queen, even if another artist may have a similar or identical name.

ICANN-accredited registrars can offer .MUSIC. Visit the .MUSIC registrar page for more information.

In order to do so, all ICANN-accredited registrars must agree to and comply with the .MUSIC Registry-Registrar Agreement (RRA), an agreement between the .MUSIC Registry and Registrar in which the .MUSIC Registry accredits the Registrar to provide registrar services with respect to the .MUSIC top-level domain.

A Music Community Member Organization (MCMO) is a legitimate organization relating to music comprised of members that is in support of the .MUSIC community-based top-level initiative and mission.

Accredited MCMOs can participate in the MCMO priority phase to provide their members with an opportunity to register their names prior to the global General Availability launch of .MUSIC. In order to qualify as an accredited MCMO, an MCMO must apply to become a .MUSIC reseller.

The expected date for the .MUSIC launch is estimated to be early 2022.

You can pre-register .MUSIC for free to be kept up to date with respect to the .MUSIC launch and other related news. The .MUSIC pre-registration does not guarantee that you will be able to secure your name but serves as an expression of interest.

You can pre-register .MUSIC for free to be kept up to date with respect to the .MUSIC launch and other related news. The .MUSIC pre-registration does not guarantee that you will be able to secure your name but serves as an expression of interest.