The Top-Level Domain (TLD) “.FUN” is a generic TLD, which is part of the Domain Name System of the Internet. TLDs are the highest level in the hierarchical DNS and are the last label of a fully qualified domain name. The “.FUN” TLD is categorized under the category of “generic” TLDs (gTLDs).
Technically, any domain name under the TLD “.FUN” is expected to meet several DNS standards. It should be between 3 and 63 characters long, consist only of letters, numbers, or hyphens, and not commence or end with a hyphen. The DNS standards are defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force and outlined in several of its publications, including RFC 5890, RFC 5891, and RFC 1123.
The “.FUN” TLD is managed by Radix, one of the leading domain registry operators. It was launched on April 5, 2017, catering primarily to individuals, brands, and organizations associated with fun, pleasure, joy, or whatever brings a smile. Radix has explicitly designed this TLD to be unrestricted, meaning any individual or organization can register a “.FUN” domain without needing to meet specific eligibility criteria.
The full potential of the “.FUN” TLD can especially be seen in the online gaming industry. For instance, game makers can create websites ending in .FUN to emphasize the enjoyment factor of their offerings. One example is the domain www.pogo.fun, which was used by Electronic Arts to provide links to their Pogo games.
All procedures and policies related to the “.FUN” TLD, such as registration, renewals, transfers, and dispute resolution, are outlined in Radix’s Registration Policy and the ICANN policies. Wherever Radix’s policies are silent, the prevailing ICANN policies apply.
In terms of technical operations, the “.FUN” TLD, like other TLDs, requires the use of several core DNS technologies such as the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), which adds a layer of security to the domain name to prevent DNS poisoning attacks and to ensure data integrity and authenticity.
It’s worth noting that the “.FUN” TLD is fully compatible with both IPv4 and IPv6 address types. This means that sites under the “.FUN” TLD can use both these Internet Protocols, which is beneficial considering the ongoing migration from IPv4 to the newer IPv6 due to the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses.
Sources:
1. RFC 5890 – Internationalization of Domain Names in Applications
2. RFC 5891 – Internationalization of Domain Names in Applications, Part: Definitions and Document Framework
3. RFC 1123 – Requirements for Internet Hosts – Application and Support
4. Radix – Fun TLD
5. ICANN – TLD Policies
6. ICANN – IPv6 Factsheet
7. IETF – DNSSEC Specifications
