REGISTRANT ELIGIBILITY POLICY
Version Control: 2.0
Date of Implementation: 20230525
2.0 Summary
All domain names registered in the .MUSIC Top Level Domain (“MTLD”) must comply with this Registrant Eligibility Policy (the “Policy”). This Policy sets forth the classifications of individuals and legal entities (corporations, organizations, etc.) that are permitted to register domain names
in the MTLD.
2.1 Documentation/Determinants. A non-enumerated list of documents may be requested to provide and establish eligibility in general and for specific restricted name allocation phases/programs described by the Name Allocation and Name Selection Policies. Failure to provide requested documentation may be material and result in the denial, refusal, deletion, or revocation of the registration of a MTLD domain name without a refund.
2.2 This Policy along with the Name Allocation and Name Selection Policies provide the required post registration identification and data requirements mandatory for all registrants and registrant classes.
2.3 This Policy along with the Anti-Abuse and Legitimate Use Policy provide the acceptable and required use as well as content requirements to maintain eligibility, mandatory for all registrants and registrant classes.
3.0 Identity Verification and Documentation Requirements Protect the Community
The MTLD is a community Top Level Domain (TLD) specially for the global music community and industry. The purpose of the MTLD is to help strengthen the cultural, social and business identity of the music community and provide an avenue for growth and increased support among the music community members. The MTLD desires to keep the domain name space reserved for the global music community through the creation of music tailored rules and policies that protect and implement the global music community's standards and values. Trust and confidence that the namespace is tailored to benefit the global music community and its members is vital to MTLD’s health. The foundation of this trust is that registrant identities are verified together with registrants providing music-related data, metadata, and profile information. Both verification and music profile information is required to be eligible for a MTLD domain name.
As community based TLD, the MTLD requires verification of its registrants and has created policies to protect and preserve intellectual property rights, prevent piracy, and ensure that artists, creators, industry professionals, businesses, fans and consumers can interact with trust and safety.
3.1 Registrant Identity Verification. After a MLTD domain name is registered at a Registrar, registrants must complete an identity verification through the Registry Operator’s Identity Verification Solution Provider (IVSP) at the URL - https://id.music.
3.2 Music Profile and Nexus Verification. To complete the identification process, music profile information and data will be required at the IVSP. This information is used to determine a Music Score (Name Selection Policy, section 4.0) and the registrant’s Nexus to the MTLD domain name string (Name Selection Policy, section 5.0).
3.3 Music Score. Members of the music community can be recognized and identified by works, contractual engagements, social connections and profile. The Registry Operator will generate a metric, called Music Score, from these attributes analyzed through its ISVP. The Music Score will be used as a determinant and measure of the registrant’s connection and history in the music community as detailed in the Name Selection Policy, section 4.0.
3.4 Registrant Nexus Score. The Registry Operator will try to quantify and determine a nexus score between the registrant and the MTLD domain name registered, through its ISVP. This internal Registrant Nexus will be used as a determinant for the suitability and legitimacy of a registrant for a specific MTLD domain string as detailed in the Name Selection Policy, section 5.0. For the Community Phase, the Registrant Nexus Score will be used as a key determinant for awarding a specific MTLD domain name with or without contention. After General Availability, the Registrant Nexus Score will be used to isolate and indicate potential fraudulent, or inappropriate registrations.
3.5 Registry Server Hold Status Until Verification Completes. MTLD domain names will be placed under a Registry Server Hold until identity verification is completed. Subsequent MTLD domain name registration by the same registrant can utilize their existing verified identification credentials at the IVSP.
3.6 Failure to Verify. Starting on the day a MTLD domain name is registered, the registrant has ninety (90) days (Verification Grace Period) to complete both the Registrant Identity Verification and the Music Profile and Nexus Verification. Failure to complete both verifications by the end of the Verification Grace Period, the registrant officially becomes ineligible and the Registry Operator at its discretion may revoke the MTLD domain name(s) without a refund or put the domain name under Music Community Protection Lock in accordance with the Anti-Abuse and Legitimate Use Policy.
4.0 Ongoing Legitimate Use and Music Content Requirement to Remain Eligible.
All Registrants must use MTLD domain names in a manner that complies with the Anti-Abuse and Legitimate Use Policy of the Registry Operator at all times.
4.1 Failure to comply with the Anti-Abuse Policies will result in the registrant being ineligible for all MTLD domain names for which they are the registrant owner.
4.2 Failure to comply with the Legitimate Use policies will also result in the registrant being ineligible for the MTLD domain name(s) for which they are the registrant owner.
5.0 Eligible Registrant Classes
The following individuals and legal entities (corporations, organizations, etc.) are eligible to register MTLD domain names:
5.1 Established Music Community and Music Industry Classification. Individuals and entities that can attest and document that they possess one or more more of the following requirements and attributes that were created or in existence at the time of registration or application for a MTLD domain name:
5.1.1 Music Intellectual Property. Individuals and entities with music-related trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
5.1.2 Music Community Members. Members of a Music Community Member Organizations (MCMO), including musicians, bands, creators, music industry professionals, and music-related organizations.
5.1.3 Musicians, Artists/Bands and Creators. Individuals and groups of individuals with a history of music-related activity, which includes but is not limited to, work as an artist, band, songwriter, composer, or producer.
5.1.4 Music Based Business, Corporation and Organization. Entities that have an established presence in the music community, which includes labels, publishers, trade associations, collective management organizations, performing rights organizations, digital distributors, service providers, vendors, and educational providers.
5.1.5 Consultants, Agents, Managers or Professionals Working on behalf of previous classes (5.1.1, 5.2.1, 5.1.3, 5.1.4) with documented support and/or contracts verifying the relationship.
5.2 Additional Classification for General Availability. Individuals and entities that do not have a documented history of one or more of the requirements and attributes in section 5.1, but can attest a general nexus to the music community at registration or application for a MTLD domain name:
5.2.1 Non-Music Based Businesses, Incorporations and Organizations. Established businesses with a strong commercial history outside of the music industry that wish to use music as part of their future business, marketing, promotional activities.
5.2.2 Aspiring Musicians, Artists/Bands and Creators. Individuals and groups of individuals with a demonstrable intention to create music-related activity, which includes but is not limited to, work as an artist, band, songwriter, composer, or producer.
5.3 Trademark Clearinghouse for Sunrise. Trademark holders having a valid Signed Mark Data file issued by the Trademark Clearing House are eligible to register during the Sunrise Phase.
6.0 Compliance with European Union and United States Laws
The Registry Operator’s parent is a European entity that will comply with European Union (EU) law, including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Additionally as a matter of practice the Registry Operator will also comply with the economic and trade sanctions program administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These sanctions have been imposed on certain countries, as well as individuals and entities that appear on OFAC's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (the SDN List). The Registry Operator is prohibited from providing most goods or services to residents of sanctioned countries or their governmental entities or to SDNs without an applicable U.S. government authorization or exemption.
Registry Operator, in its capacity as a global registry operator, must take into account all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the jurisdictions where it operates. As such, Registry Operator reserves the right to deny or cancel registrations based upon relevant sanctions, programs or standards administered and/or supported in other jurisdictions.
7.0 Compliance with ICANN Regulations
Registry Operator, as an ICANN contracted global registry operator, must comply with all ICANN regulations and requirements. As such, Registry Operator, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to deny or cancel registrations to maintain compliance with ICANN.
8.0 Prohibition Against the Use of Proxy/Privacy Registration Services
Registry Operator is committed to ensuring that the MTLD is administered in a secure and stable manner and that the Whois data of domain names in the MTLD is reliable, accurate and up-to-date. Therefore, Registry Operator expressly prohibits the use of proxy or private domain name registration services by Applicants and Registrants. Registrars nor any of its resellers, affiliates, and/or partners are not permitted to offer proxy or private domain name registration services in the MTLD.
8.0 Domain Name Warehousing Prohibited
The MTLD is a community Top Level Domain (TLD) specially for the music community and industry. The purpose of the MTLD is to help strengthen the cultural and social identity of the music community members. Therefore, the buying and holding of MTLD domain names as assets for resale, especially in bulk is prohibited. Those wishing to manage large multiples of MTLD domain names, must register with the ISPV as an Industry Class registrant under subsection 5.1.4 (Music Based Business, Corporation and Organization) to gain special permission to manage a large quantity of MTLD domains. Violation of the Domain Name Warehousing provision stated here may result in the deletion or revoking of all domain names connected with the registrant without refund.
9.0 Advanced AI Namespace Scanning and Enforcement
The Registry Operator in conjunction with its ISPV partner reserves the right to build advanced namespace scanning technology in an effort to ensure compliance with the Registry Operator’s terms of service. The Registry Operator will enforce all its policies to the fullest extent of its legal power against all violators of its policies. This may include revoking MTLD domain name(s) and restricting future registration by those who violate the Registry Operator’s terms of service.
10. Appeal
Any registrant or applicant whose request for registration has been denied based upon this Policy may appeal this decision through the Registration Eligibility Dispute Resolution Policy available on/via Registry Operator’s website
11.0 Amendments
Registry Operator reserves the right to modify this Policy at its sole discretion. Such revised Policy shall be posted on Registry Operator’s website at least 15-calendar days before its effective date. Therefore, it is important to check the effective date of the Policy posted here each time you use the Registry Operator’s website. By continuing to use the Services after we make changes, you indicate your consent to those changes.
12.0 Questions and Contact Information
Registry Operator wants to assure you that we are dedicated to protecting the rights of registrants. If you have questions or comments about this Policy, please contact policy@my.music * * *