.fail

Overview

.fail is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced through ICANN's New gTLD Program. The string .fail is positioned for online expression related to criticism, editorializing, satire and commentary. The registry operator is Donuts (Atomic Pipe, LLC); the string was delegated into the DNS Root Zone on 23 April 2014.

History

• Applied for as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program by Donuts (Atomic Pipe, LLC).
• The application succeeded and a Registry Agreement with ICANN was signed on 6 March 2014.
• .fail was delegated to the DNS Root Zone on 23 April 2014.
• During the application process the string received a GAC Early Warning from Australia (GAC Chair Heather Dryden) noting concerns about the string's critical nature and the potential for defensive registrations.

Usage and Audience

• Intended uses described by the applicant include:
  • Criticism, editorializing and commentary
  • Satire and expressive content
  • Community interaction and expression of opinions
• Donuts described .fail as a generic term attractive to a variety of internet users seeking new avenues for online identity and expression.

Registration Rules

• The applicant stated a policy approach favoring broad, open access rather than restrictive eligibility rules.
• Donuts committed that no single entity would have exclusive rights to second-level names and pledged not to "artificially deny access" on the basis of identity alone without legal cause.
• The registry application emphasized an array of protections against abuse, including measures aimed at protecting trademark rights and reducing fraud and abuse; specific technical rules (allowed characters, minimum/maximum registration periods) are not detailed in the provided material.

SEO and Brand Impact

• Donuts asserted that .fail would "better facilitate search, self-expression, information sharing" and increase consumer choice and competition in the namespace.
• The operator committed to operating the TLD securely and to implement protections intended to reduce incidents of fraud and abuse, positioning .fail as a purposeful space for expressive uses while aiming to maintain user safety and trust.

% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object

domain:       FAIL

organisation: Binky Moon, LLC
address:      c/o Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)

contact:      administrative
name:         Vice President, Engineering
organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1.425.298.2200
fax-no:       +1.425.671.0020
e-mail:       tldadmin@identity.digital

contact:      technical
name:         Senior Director, DNS Infrastructure Group
organisation: Identity Digital Limited
address:      10500 NE 8th Street, Suite 750
address:      Bellevue WA 98004
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1.425.298.2200
fax-no:       +1.425.671.0020
e-mail:       tldtech@identity.digital

nserver:      V0N0.NIC.FAIL 2a01:8840:16:0:0:0:0:56 65.22.20.56
nserver:      V0N1.NIC.FAIL 2a01:8840:17:0:0:0:0:56 65.22.21.56
nserver:      V0N2.NIC.FAIL 2a01:8840:18:0:0:0:0:56 65.22.22.56
nserver:      V0N3.NIC.FAIL 161.232.10.56 2a01:8840:f4:0:0:0:0:56
nserver:      V2N0.NIC.FAIL 2a01:8840:19:0:0:0:0:56 65.22.23.56
nserver:      V2N1.NIC.FAIL 161.232.11.56 2a01:8840:f5:0:0:0:0:56
ds-rdata:     55696 8 2 23599facbcf180ca8a276a70e5e407236cbfcc5c9b27ce00972cb83f99803577

whois:        whois.nic.fail

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: https://www.identity.digital/

created:      2014-04-17
changed:      2023-09-12
source:       IANA