The top-level domain (TLD) is the last section of the domain name. It’s to the right of the dot, and it helps to denote the purpose of the website. The most commonly known examples include “.com” for commercial businesses, “.org” for organizations, and “.gov” for government entities.
The domain “Amazon” has been under controversy for its TLD registration. “Amazon” is a multinational technology company based in Seattle, which focuses on e-commerce, digital streaming, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. However, it’s also the name of the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest, which spans across several South American countries.
The Amazon TLD was applied for by Amazon Inc., the tech company, as part of ICANN’s (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) plan allowing companies and organizations to register domains that correspond to their brand. However, several countries located in the Amazon Rainforest region, including Brazil and Peru, objected to this, claiming that the word has geographical significance that the company should not monopolize as stated by The Guardian.
This created a long legal battle over the Amazon TLD. The countries in the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) argued that exclusive access to the .AMAZON TLD by the tech company would impact matters of their national and regional identity. But Amazon Inc. argued its case and offered various concessions, including free hosting services and protection of certain domain names with cultural significance.
In 2019, ICANN ruled in favor of Amazon Inc., the technology company, awarding them the rights to the .AMAZON domain. After a careful evaluation, ICANN found that granting Amazon Inc. exclusive rights to .AMAZON wouldn’t infringe on the rights of the ACTO member countries. As reported by Reuters, the decision drew criticism from ACTO member countries, reiterating the significance of the word within their geographic, cultural, and natural context.
However, it’s important to understand that the “.amazon” TLD is not a common website ending like “.com” or “.org”. This means most regular internet users are unlikely to encounter it in their daily browsing, as it’s used primarily for the company’s internal purposes.
In conclusion, the domain “.amazon” is an example of how TLDs can become a contested area of brand identity, geographic significance, and internet governance. It serves as an interesting case study in the broader context of digital naming rights, revealing the complex negotiations that can occur within the relatively unseen areas of internet infrastructure.
Sources:
1. The Guardian- “Amazon countries feud over .amazon”.
2. ICANN- “Board Book Page | ICANN Public Meetings“
3. Reuters- “Amazon wins ‘Amazon’ legal battle with South American countries”.
4. The Verge- “Amazon gets approval for .amazon domain”.
