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    • .tunes

    Generic top-level domainsIDNDNSSEC

    Overview

    • .tunes is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) delegated in ICANN's New gTLD Program.
    • The string was applied for and the application materials identify Amazon as the registry operator; the ICANNWiki entry lists Neustar in the registry field.
    • The name and its ICANNWiki category (Media) indicate positioning toward media-related uses and a platform for online communication and interaction.

    History

    • Applied-for string revealed on 13 June 2012 as part of ICANN's New gTLD applications.
    • Delegated to the DNS root zone on 25 February 2016.
    • The application received a GAC Early Warning (from Australia / GAC Chair Heather Dryden) citing concerns that the applicant was seeking exclusive access to a common generic string with potential negative effects on competition.
    • The application attracted formal objections, including a Legal Rights Objection filed by DotTunes Limited and Community Objections from organizations such as the National Association of Realtors and the American Association of Independent Music.

    Usage and Audience

    • Amazon presented .TUNES as a dedicated platform to provide a stable and secure foundation for online communication and interaction.
    • The registry was positioned to support media-related registrants and services, with the applicant emphasizing control over technical architecture, innovation opportunities, and protection of intellectual property rights.

    Registration Rules

    • Amazon indicated that a Domain Management Policy would govern eligibility, name allocation, license terms, and dispute resolution. Key points from the application include:

      • Registration process: Eligibility Confirmation → Naming Convention Check → Acceptable Use Review → Registration.
      • All .TUNES domains would remain the property of Amazon; registrants would receive licensed use rather than ownership of the domain name itself.
      • Amazon reserves the right to revoke a license if use violates the Domain Management Policy.
      • Required registration data: domains must carry accurate and up-to-date registration records.
      • Privacy: Amazon stated it would implement appropriate privacy policies and cited participation in the U.S.–EU Safe Harbor program as an example.

    • Character and naming rules described in the application:

      • Length: minimum 3 characters, maximum 63 characters.
      • Allowed characters: letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens; must start and end with an alphanumeric character.
      • Prohibited: 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.
      • .TUNES domains may not be delegated or assigned to third-party organizations, institutions, or individuals (per the application language asserting Amazon ownership/control).

    SEO and Brand Impact

    • The applicant described .TUNES as providing Amazon with additional control over technical architecture and a platform to protect intellectual property—factors that can influence brand positioning and trust for domains issued under the gTLD.
    • The GAC Early Warning highlighted concerns that exclusive control of a broadly generic string could affect competition; such policy and marketplace concerns can impact perception among registrants and stakeholders.

    Notable Cases or Examples

    • Legal Rights Objection: DotTunes Limited filed a Legal Rights Objection (handled via WIPO dispute resolution processes).
    • Community Objections: The National Association of Realtors and the American Association of Independent Music filed Community Objections against the application.
    • GAC Early Warning: Raised by Australia / GAC Chair Heather Dryden over exclusivity and competition concerns.

    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:       TUNES

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:         TLD Registry Services Technical
organisation: Nominet
address:      Minerva House
address:      Edmund Halley Road
address:      Oxford Science Park
address:      Oxford OX4 4DQ
address:      United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the)
phone:        +44.1865332211
e-mail:       registrytechnical@nominet.uk

nserver:      DNS1.NIC.TUNES 213.248.218.84 2a01:618:402:0:0:0:0:84
nserver:      DNS2.NIC.TUNES 103.49.82.84 2401:fd80:402:0:0:0:0:84
nserver:      DNS3.NIC.TUNES 213.248.222.84 2a01:618:406:0:0:0:0:84
nserver:      DNS4.NIC.TUNES 2401:fd80:406:0:0:0:0:84 43.230.50.84
nserver:      DNSA.NIC.TUNES 156.154.100.3 2001:502:ad09:0:0:0:0:3
nserver:      DNSB.NIC.TUNES 156.154.101.3 2001:502:2eda:0:0:0:0:3
nserver:      DNSC.NIC.TUNES 156.154.102.3 2610:a1:1009:0:0:0:0:3
nserver:      DNSD.NIC.TUNES 156.154.103.3 2610:a1:1010:0:0:0:0:3
ds-rdata:     52234 8 2 0d317ea34edc8d43e8868616f66bc5bd9b5e5389dbbfdd1529f7c609ae095b9d

whois:        

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

created:      2016-01-29
changed:      2025-02-14
source:       IANA