Launch of three new gTLDs: .MEME, .ING & .MUSIC

.MEME

Referring to Internet memes, which as most people know are cultural items in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that are spread online and especially through social media, the .MEME gTLD is advertised as “funny, relatable, and shareable”.

The launch schedule for .MEME is as follows:

• Sunrise Period: 20 September – 24 October 2023

During this period, trade mark holders who have registered their trade marks with the TradeMark Clearinghouse (TMCH) will be able to apply for the corresponding domain names under .MEME.

• Limited Registration Period: 31 October – 28 November 2023

During this period, .MEME domain names may only be registered to content creation platforms specialising in the creation and distribution of internet memes.

• Early Access Period (EAP): 28 November – 5 December 2023

During this period, available .MEME domain names may be registered by anyone on a first come, first served basis at a higher price, which will decrease day by day leading up to General Availability.

• General Availability: 5 December 2023 onwards

As from this date, anyone will be able to register available .MEME domain names on a first come, first served basis, at the standard price.

.ING

The .ING gTLD is advertised as an extension “that enables new homes on the internet in a single word (…).  Whether it’s design.ing or writ.ing, ink.ing or row.ing, .ing is ready for action, whatever it is you’re do.ing.”.

The launch of .ING follows the same schedule as .MEME, except that there is no Limited Registration Period:

• Sunrise Period: 20 September – 24 October 2023

Trade mark holders who have registered their trade marks with the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) will be able to apply for the corresponding domain names under .ING.

• Early Access Period (EAP): 31 October – 5 December 2023

Available .ING domain names may be registered by anyone on a first come, first served basis at a higher price, which will decrease day by day leading up to General Availability.

• General Availability: 5 December 2023 onwards

Anyone will be able to register available .ING domain names on a first come, first served basis, at the standard price.

Both new gTLDs are secure namespaces, meaning that HTTPS is required for all .MEME and .ING websites.  Therefore an SSL certificate will need to be obtained by the registrants so that their domain names can resolve in browsers.

.MUSIC

Earlier this month, DotMusic Limited launched the long-awaited .MUSIC.  The new gTLD is advertised as “the digital music passport to securely create, collaborate, curate, connect, share and sell everything music.” 

.MUSIC will be a secure namespace enabling the music community to connect and have online visibility.  Indeed applicants will be required to have a legal music nexus with the global music community as either a musician, band, or music industry professional in order to register their .MUSIC domain names.

The launch schedule is as follows:

• Sunrise Period: 11 September – 15 November 2023

Trade mark holders who have registered their trade marks with the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) will be able to apply for the corresponding domain names under .MUSIC.

• Music Community Phase: 16 October – 9 March 2024

During this period, .MUSIC domain names will be available to major and independent record labels, music community organisations and their members.

• General Availability: 9 April 2024 onwards

As from this date, anyone with a music nexus will be able to register available .MUSIC domain names on a first come, first served basis.

For more information on the launch of .MEME, .ING or .MUSIC, please contact David Taylor or Jane Seager.