Below find our most frequently asked questions.
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Launch of .gop web ending
Who can get websites and email addresses ending in .gop?
YOU! Whether establishing a blog, launching a campaign, advocating a cause or simply looking to have a meaningful email address, it starts right here – on .gop.
Who is operating the new web ending .gop?
A web ending, formally known as a top level domain (TLD), is run by a registry. This is the entity that signs the contract for a particular TLD with ICANN. The registries are responsible for governing the names database and overseeing the allocation of domains within a particular TLD. The Republican State Leadership Committee applied to run the registry for .gop in 2012 and will serve as the registry for .gop names.
Is the RSLC planning to control all websites ending in .gop?
No, the RSLC will sell the domain names only and let users build and maintain their own sites.
New web endings
How many of these new web endings will there be?
ICANN received about 1,900 applications though some were redundant (a few groups applied for .app or .hotel, for example). We expect there to be close to 1,000 that launch throughout the next year.
How will this change the way we use the Internet?
The introduction of new web endings is the most exciting innovation currently taking place on the Internet. It will change the way we search and connect online. It will also categorize the Internet for a better user experience. Here are just a few of the new types of website endings to expect:
Generic terms: .hotel, .yoga, .baby, .law, .art, .med, .ski, .rodeo, .music, .llc
Brand names: .nba, .delta, .mlb, .nfl, .nha, .sony, .hilton, .netflix, .ping, .gallup, .apple, .youtube
City names: .miami, .nyc, .vegas
Who are some of the other applicants?
Some of the world’s biggest brands listed above are applicants, as is Google, Amazon, Nike, UPS, American Express, McDonald’s, Cisco and hundreds of others. .gop is in great company!
Won’t this change to the Internet confuse users by adding so many options?
For the first time in history, the Internet will be categorized to create more intuitive navigation. Web names will be shorter and speak to particular audiences. Much like .edu and .gov provide reliability, the launch of .gop will be another example of a successful web ending.
General
What is ICANN?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a not-for-profit entity based in California responsible for the Internet naming system. Its mission is to protect the security and stability of the Internet. After years of encouragement to do so, ICANN opened the application process for a few months in early 2012 to operate TLDs. To learn more about ICANN and the process of running new website endings, visit their website here.
What is the current market landscape for web endings (TLDs) and why are more coming?
There were only 22 generic top level domains (.com, .org, .net and others) along with many country code top level domains like .es (Spain) or .co.uk (England). Each has had varying requirements for participation but the choices have been quite limited since the beginning of the Internet. For example, there are 110+ million websites registered on .com alone. The impetus for adding more names is that given the lack of options, .com is busting at the seams. By introducing more options it will create competition and categorization which benefits all Internet users.
What steps is the RSLC, the registry owner, taking to ensure trademark holders and rights protection issues are protected?
The RSLC, the registry owner, is committed to ensuring that all trademark holders are protected and that cybersquatting is nonexistent in the .gop universe. The Sunrise period prior to general availability was an important step to protect trademark holders. ICANN mandates that new TLDs work with the Trademark Clearinghouse to protect marks registered. We will work with trademark owners on an ongoing basis to ensure that the integrity of the .gop space is upheld.