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    • .song

    Generic top-level domainsIDNDNSSEC

    Overview

    • .song is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) string applied for under ICANN's New gTLD Program.
    • The string was associated with Amazon in its application materials and described as a platform for "stable and secure online communication and interaction".
    • The ICANNWiki infobox lists the registry as Neustar and the application materials and prose identify Amazon as the applicant/registry operator.

    History

    • The .song gTLD was delegated to the DNS Root Zone on 24 February 2016.
    • The application was part of ICANN's New gTLD Program (Reveal Day: 13 June 2012).
    • A GAC Early Warning was issued by the representative of Australia (GAC Chair Heather Dryden) concerning the application; the warning noted the applicant was "seeking exclusive access to a common generic string .. that relates to a broad market sector."
    • Objections during the application process included a Legal Rights Objection and a Community Objection (details below).

    Usage and Audience

    • In its application Amazon described .SONG as a dedicated platform intended to provide stable, secure online communication and interaction and as a platform for innovation and intellectual property protection.
    • Amazon indicated the registry would be run according to industry standards of good registry practice and that its Intellectual Property group would manage domain allocation and enforcement.
    • The application stated that all .SONG domain names would remain the property of Amazon and that .SONG domains "may not be delegated or assigned to third party organizations, institutions, or individuals."

    Registration Rules

    • Registration policy details as stated in Amazon's application (excerpted):

      • Eligibility and allocation would be defined by a Domain Management Policy maintained by Amazon's Intellectual Property group.
      • Registration would proceed in four steps: (i) Eligibility Confirmation, (ii) Naming Convention Check, (iii) Acceptable Use Review, and (iv) Registration.
      • All .SONG domains would remain the property of Amazon; licenses to use a .SONG domain could be revoked if they violate the Domain Management Policy.

    • Label and character rules (as given in the application):

      • Length: minimum 3 characters and maximum 63 characters.
      • Characters allowed: letters (a–z), numbers (0–9) and hyphens; start and end must be alphanumeric (no hyphen at start or end).
      • Not allowed: a hyphen in the 3rd and 4th positions (tagged domains), strings reserved by ICANN, protected country names or geographical terms.
      • Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) may be supported at the second level.
      • All domains must carry accurate and up-to-date registration records.

    SEO and Brand Impact

    • Amazon stated goals for .SONG included providing additional technical controls, a secure foundation for online interaction, a platform for innovation, and enhanced intellectual property protection.
    • Because Amazon planned to retain ownership and control of all .SONG domains and enforce a Domain Management Policy, the string was positioned as a tightly controlled, brand-centric gTLD rather than a broadly open namespace.
    • The GAC Early Warning noted potential negative impacts on competition from exclusive control of a common generic string, indicating regulatory or reputational scrutiny during the application phase.

    Notable Cases or Examples

    • Legal Rights Objection: DotSong Limited filed a Legal Rights Objection against the applicant; such objections are adjudicated by an independent panel (WIPO was the mediator referenced).
    • Community Objection: The American Association of Independent Music filed a Community Objection against the application.
    • GAC Early Warning: Issued by Australia (and GAC Chair Heather Dryden) expressing concern about exclusive access to a common generic string and potential consequences for competition.

    Operator

    Amazon Registry Services, Inc.

    Whois

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

domain:       SONG

organisation: Amazon Registry Services, Inc.
address:      410 Terry Avenue North
address:      Seattle WA 98109
address:      United States of America (the)

contact:      administrative
name:         Program Manager, Registry
organisation: Amazon Registry Services, Inc.
address:      410 Terry Avenue North
address:      Seattle WA 98109
address:      United States of America (the)
phone:        +1 206 646 5990
fax-no:       +1-206-946-7702
e-mail:       arsi-rzm@amazon.com

contact:      technical
name:         Howard Eland, Senior Director, DNS Infrastructure Group
organisation: Identity Digital Inc.
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.SONG 2a01:8840:4a:0:0:0:0:2 65.22.76.2
nserver:      V0N1.NIC.SONG 2a01:8840:4b:0:0:0:0:2 65.22.77.2
nserver:      V0N2.NIC.SONG 2a01:8840:4c:0:0:0:0:2 65.22.78.2
nserver:      V0N3.NIC.SONG 161.232.38.2 2a01:8840:10c:0:0:0:0:2
nserver:      V2N0.NIC.SONG 2a01:8840:4d:0:0:0:0:2 65.22.79.2
nserver:      V2N1.NIC.SONG 161.232.39.2 2a01:8840:10d:0:0:0:0:2
ds-rdata:     54031 8 2 0595f0d68769e6bc795c21a8c96043f4b530593b76be48348797b157040bf72c

whois:        whois.nic.song

status:       ACTIVE
remarks:      Registration information: http://www.nic.song

created:      2016-01-29
changed:      2025-06-17
source:       IANA