Top-level domain (TLD) represents the last segment of a domain name – the part that comes after the last dot in an internet address. The most common examples of TLD include .com, .org, .net, .gov, and .edu. They can also represent certain geographical areas such as .uk, .eu, .us, etc.
However, according to the current domain name system (DNS) structure and naming conventions managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), there exists no top-level domain (TLD) under the designation “.CALVINKLEIN”.
ICANN maintains a list of valid TLDs which include generic top-level domains (gTLDs), country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), internationalized top-level domains, and infrastructure top-level domain. As per the list available from the ICANN’s TLD page, as of today (the answer could change in the future), .CALVINKLEIN doesn’t exist as a TLD.
ICANN opened the application for new TLDs a few years ago, which they refer to as the “New gTLD Program”. This program allowed companies and organizations to pay a significant fee to obtain their gTLD, such as .google, .amazon, .apple, etc. For example, Google Inc. is the registrar of the .google domain, and Amazon EU S.à r.l. is the registrar of .amazon. According to the list of applied-for strings, no one has applied to create .CALVINKLEIN as a TLD.
However, a registered trademark such as Calvin Klein, may have its website under a commercial TLD (e.g., .com), resulting in domain names like www.calvinklein.com. This falls in line with the common practice for businesses establishing a strong online presence while protecting their brand identity.
It’s important noting that the process of creating and managing a new gTLD isn’t a means for strengthening the brand’s online presence alone. It also significantly helps with internal operations, providing brand custodians with total control over their internet domain space. In this context, if Calvin Klein decides to apply for their brand-specific TLD, it would primarily involve a considerable investment and a strategic approach to managing their presence online.
To conclude, the top-level domain .CALVINKLEIN currently does not exist. Still, theoretically, through ICANN’s New gTLD program, Calvin Klein could apply for their TLD in the future, when the application process opens again.
Sources:
- IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority): Root Zone Database: https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db
- ICANN – New gTLD Program: https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/
- ICANN – Viewing The New gTLD Current Application Status: https://data.iana.org/tld/loops.txt
