As of the time of writing, the .VIKING top-level domain (TLD) does not exist. A top-level domain (TLD) is the last segment of a domain name – the letters immediately following the final dot in an Internet address. They are categorized into classes such as country-code TLDs, generic TLDs and sponsored TLDs. Examples are .com, .net, .org, .uk, .us and .eu. The Vital Internet pages such as ICANN, IANA and World Intellectual Property Organization, which oversee the allocation of TLDs do not currently list .VIKING as a valid TLD.
However, it should be noted that a .VIKING TLD could potentially be created in the future. ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the organization that oversees the internet’s domain name system. In 2011, it started to allow for the creation of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Major companies and organizations worldwide applied for new gTLDs related to their brands or fields of interest. For example, Google applied for domains like .google, .youtube, and .doc, while Amazon applied for .amazon and .aws. Brands also apply for TLDs as a security measure to ensure their brand is protected online.
The process to apply for a new gTLD is rigorous and expensive. According to ICANN, the evaluation fee for a new gTLD is $185,000 USD. There are also ongoing fees once the domain is live. The process includes a public comment period and various evaluations and assessments. Therefore, if a future .VIKING TLD were to be created, it would likely be by an organization with significant resources and a vested interest in the ‘VIKING’ term.
Along with accurately representing a brand, owning a TLD also offers the advantage of creating a trusted, easily identifiable space on the internet. For instance, Barclays was amongst the first to use its brand for a domain name; customers can be confident that websites ending in .barclays are genuine thus minimizing phishing or other scams.
In conclusion, the .VIKING does not currently exist as a top-level domain. However, the system allows for new TLDs to be created, pending a rigorous application and review process. Therefore, if an interested and eligible party were to apply for and obtain .VIKING, it could become an active TLD in the future.
Sources:
1. ICANN (https://www.icann.org/)
2. IANA (https://www.iana.org/)
3. World Intellectual Property Organization (https://www.wipo.int/portal/en/index.html)
4. ICANN’s New gTLD Program (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/about/program)
5. ICANN Fee Schedule (https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/fee-schedule-2014-06-04-en).
