CORE Association withdraws its .src domain application
in plain words
CORE Association had asked to run .src, an internet ending meant for open source software projects. It has now taken that request back. It said the rules of the new domain round stop applicants from talking to each other, and another group had filed a similar plan.
Full summary
CORE Association has withdrawn its application for .src, a new generic domain extension it had sought for the open source community in the 2026 new gTLD A generic top-level domain added to the internet through ICANN's New gTLD Program. Full definition of new gTLD round. CORE withdrew the application on its own initiative on Tuesday, October 13, and ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN accepted the withdrawal the following day, Wednesday, October 14.
CORE says it applied because it believes an open source project's domain name A readable internet name made of labels separated by dots. Full definition of domain name matters greatly for its security, the trust users place in it and its ability to attract funding, so the extension should be run with those needs in mind. CORE says it was glad to see Stichting NLnet reach the same conclusion and file a community-based application for .src aimed at the free and open source software, or FOSS, community.
CORE says it did not know about NLnet's project and had announced its own bid only shortly before Reveal Day The day ICANN publishes who applied for which new gTLD strings. Full definition of Reveal Day. It cites the terms of the 2026 round, which prohibit communications between contending applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant, as the reason it withdrew rather than contacting NLnet. CORE says it remains committed to open source software.