Yes, a top-level domain (TLD) is essentially the ending part of a web address after the last period, such as .com, .edu, or .org. The .MUSIC is a proposed top-level domain (TLD) in the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet, intended for use by music dissemination and appreciation communities. However, as of my recent knowledge update (as of December 2021), the .MUSIC domain is not formally launched yet but is expected to launch for the general public in 2022.
The .MUSIC initiative has been spearheaded by DotMusic Limited, a firm founded by Constantine Roussos, for over a decade. This has not been an easy journey, with numerous other companies expressing interest, including tech giant Google and web registry Amazon. However, in April 2019, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) designated DotMusic Limited as the sole entity to launch and manage the .MUSIC domain extension, giving DotMusic exclusive rights to operate the .MUSIC registry.
As outlined in the DotMusic community application and ICANN’s evaluation, the .MUSIC TLD is expected to be used by the global music community, aiming at promoting music and protecting the rights of creators and rights holders. The proposed TLD could be used by music industry entities, such as major record labels to innovative music tech startups, and from famous music artists to even unsigned individual musicians. One of the requirements is that those who apply for a .MUSIC domain should be able to verify their association or intent related to the music industry.
DotMusic’s collective mandate and mission involve domain security, verification, ensuring rights owners’ music is legally consumed, preventing cybersquatting and piracy, and upholding the value of music. Thus, the introduction of a .MUSIC TLD allows for the creation of a secure, authenticated and community-based domain name space for the global music community.
Websites with a .MUSIC domain are expected to be safe places where users can discover music, secure in the knowledge that these sites are owned by legitimate members of the music industry. It offers enhanced brand identity, better search visibility, and the facilitated process when it comes to connecting with audiences.
For sourcing, my information has been gathered from the official DotMusic website (https://music.us/), ICANN’s content about the .MUSIC TLD (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en), and multiple news reports/articles including an article from Complete Music Update (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/dot-music-gets-the-go-ahead-to-launch-the-music-domain/).
