Currently, there’s no top-level domain (TLD) named .FOX, according to the current list of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) TLDs. IANA is responsible for the global coordination of the DNS Root, IP addressing, and other Internet protocol resources. It maintains a comprehensive list of TLDs on its website.
Top-level domains are the letters immediately following the final dot in an Internet address. They form part of the DNS – Domain Name System, which helps in translating domain names, which are easy for people to remember, into IP addresses, which computers use to identify each other on the network. Examples of some common TLDs include .com for commercial entities, .net for network infrastructures, .org for organizations, .gov for U.S. government entities, and .edu for educational institutions.
There are also country-specific TLDs such as .uk for the United Kingdom, .de for Germany, .fr for France, and .jp for Japan, among others. In recent years, there’s been a significant expansion in the number of TLDs with the introduction of what is known as generic TLDs (gTLDs). These include TLDs like .xyz, .online, .tech, .site, etc.
In some cases, companies can obtain their TLDs, often referred to as dot-brand TLDs. For example, .google for Google, .apple for Apple, .amazon for Amazon, and so on. These TLDs are typically used for marketing purposes, and not all companies apply for them considering the significant investment and maintenance efforts they require.
So, currently, there is no .FOX TLD, but if a company like Fox Corporation wanted to have one, it could apply through the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), but the application process is comprehensive and expensive. The process includes demonstrating a legitimate claim to the name, having a solid business plan for its use, and paying a significant fee. While .FOX is not a current TLD, that may potentially change in the future, especially given the trend of major corporates owning their TLDs.
In conclusion, TLDs serve as an integral part of the Domain Name System. They give an identity over the internet and help to classify these domains into different categories. Even though .FOX is not currently used as a TLD, it might be a possibility for the future.
Sources:
- Internet Assigned Numbers Authority: Root Zone Database https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db
- ICANN: New gTLD Program https://newgtlds.icann.org/en
- Webopedia: Top Level Domain (TLD) https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/TLD.html
- Domain Name Stat: Registered Domain Statistics https://domainnamestat.com.
