.ltd

Overview

.ltd is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated into the DNS root as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program. The string is corporate-themed (reflecting the abbreviation "Ltd" for limited companies) and is managed by the registry operator Donuts.

History

• The .ltd gTLD was delegated to the Root Zone on 23 September 2015 under ICANN's New gTLD Program.
• Donuts (listed as Over Corner, LLC) is the registry operator and remained the sole applicant after other contenders withdrew.
• In Summer 2014, other applicants withdrew their applications — an action attributed to an assumed private auction or settlement in which Donuts acquired the string.
• Multiple applicants were involved during the application process; some submitted Public Interest Commitments (PICs) as part of their applications.

Usage and Audience

• The .ltd string is positioned for corporate-themed uses, attracting businesses and entities that identify with the "Ltd" designation for limited companies.
• Typical audience: companies and organizations that want a domain name signaling a limited liability corporate identity.

SEO and Brand Impact

• Public concerns were raised about corporate-themed gTLDs being used for fraudulent or misleading purposes: Jeff Bullock, Secretary of State for Delaware, publicly opposed applications for .inc, .corp, and .ltd on consumer and regulatory-safeguarding grounds.
• The presence of formal Public Interest Commitments (submitted by at least some applicants) indicates attention to policy and public-interest considerations during the application process.

Notable Cases or Examples

• Applicants and application notes:

  • Donuts (Over Corner, LLC) — remained the final applicant and registry operator; submitted a PIC.
  • myLTD GmbH — submitted a Public Interest Commitment.
  • LTD Registry, LLC — withdrew its application (first to leave the contention set).
  • C.V. TLDcare — withdrew (second applicant to leave the contention set).
  • Afilias and STRAAT Investments (NU DOT CO LLC) were among other applicants; STRAAT selected Neustar for back-end registry services.
  • Dot Registry LLC initially failed its application evaluation on financial questions but later requested and passed extended evaluation.

• Objections: Delaware's Secretary of State expressed opposition to corporate-themed gTLDs including .ltd, citing concerns about consumer and regulatory protections.

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

domain:       LTD

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.LTD 2a01:8840:1e:0:0:0:0:2 65.22.28.2
nserver:      V0N1.NIC.LTD 2a01:8840:1f:0:0:0:0:2 65.22.29.2
nserver:      V0N2.NIC.LTD 2a01:8840:20:0:0:0:0:2 65.22.30.2
nserver:      V0N3.NIC.LTD 161.232.14.2 2a01:8840:f8:0:0:0:0:2
nserver:      V2N0.NIC.LTD 2a01:8840:21:0:0:0:0:2 65.22.31.2
nserver:      V2N1.NIC.LTD 161.232.15.2 2a01:8840:f9:0:0:0:0:2
ds-rdata:     54 8 2 d0f5f5a210d27f70a8912bf81078beeb34dbd370d7f0470d1140b749ac2f3a46

whois:        whois.nic.ltd

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

created:      2015-08-06
changed:      2023-09-12
source:       IANA