Community TLD
Community gTLD is one of the different categories of generic top level domain names (gTLDs) created by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which is primarily intended for community groups that are interested in operating their own TLD Registry. Community gTLDs should represent and receive strong support from a clearly defined group of people who will benefit from the TLD such as cities, cultural, regional, geographical, religious and social groups as well as industry sectors.[1] A good example of community group that represents a clearly defined group of people that maybe qualified to apply for a community gTLD is the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). This group is well-established and it can demonstrate that it has a continuous relationship with its members. [2]
Requirements for Community gTLD Applicants
Based on the gTLD Applicant Guidebook, applicants for community based gTLDs should:[3]
- Demonstrate an ongoing relationship with a clearly delineated community.
- Have applied for a gTLD string strongly and specifically related to the community named in the application.
- Have proposed dedicated registration and use policies or registrants in its proposed gTLD, including appropriate security verification procedures, commensurate with the community-based purpose it has named.
- Have its application endorsed in writing by one or more established institutions representing the community it has named.
Benefits of Operating a Community gTLD
Domain industry experts identify some of the benefits of a community gTLDs which include:[4]
- It will help strengthen the cultural and social identity of the group and provides and avenue for growth and increased support among its members.
- It enables the community to control their domain name space by creating their own rules and policies for registration to be able to protect and implement the community standards and values.
- It will boost the trust and confidence of its members.
- The community will be recognized globally.
- Members will be able to register a relevant, shorter and easy to remember domain name.
- It will generate income from registration and annual renewal fees of domain names.