Are there extensions prohibited from being registered in the ICANN new gTLD program?

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Yes, there are extensions that are prohibited from being registered in the ICANN new gTLD program, or that have specific restrictions. These prohibitions and restrictions are outlined in the Applicant Guidebook and related policies.

Here are some key examples:

  • Reserved Names: ICANN maintains a list of reserved names that are generally unavailable for registration as gTLDs. This includes:
    • Two-character ASCII labels: These are reserved at the second level.
    • Country and territory names: These are generally reserved, though there are procedures to allow their release if certain agreements are reached with the relevant governments.
    • Names of specific international organizations: This includes names related to the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and other intergovernmental organizations.
  • Technical Requirements: Proposed gTLD strings must meet specific technical rules. For example, strings composed entirely of numbers are typically rejected.
  • Confusingly Similar Strings: Applications for strings that are identical to existing top-level domains or confusingly similar to other applications in the same round are subject to contention procedures and may be rejected.
  • Public Interest Objections: Applications can be rejected if the proposed gTLD string is deemed contrary to generally accepted legal norms relating to morality and public order, as recognized under principles of international law.
  • Legal Rights Infringement: If a proposed gTLD string infringes on existing legal rights of others (e.g., trademarks), it can be objected to and potentially rejected.
  • Geographic Names: Geographic names, if proposed as gTLDs, have additional requirements and often require agreement from the relevant governments or public authorities.
  • Specific Industry Restrictions: Some gTLDs, like .bank and .insurance, have heightened security and operational requirements due to the sensitive nature of the industries they represent.

ICANN's goal with these restrictions is to maintain the security, stability, and interoperability of the Domain Name System (DNS), while also protecting legal rights and addressing public interest concerns.