ICANN's objection process for applications in the 2026 new gTLD round
in plain words
ICANN, the group that manages internet addresses, has shared the names companies want for new web endings. For a short time, businesses, governments and community groups can object to an application they think should not go ahead. Two lawyers explain the four kinds of objection.
Full summary
ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN has published the applications received in its 2026 New Generic Top-Level Domain Program. That publication starts a limited period in which applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant, brand owners, governments and community organizations can judge the proposed strings and decide whether to file formal objections. David Weslow, a partner at Wiley Rein LLP, and Tatiana Sainati, a partner in Wiley’s Global Disputes Practice, write that the objection phase may be the last practical chance for some parties to stop a problematic gTLD generic top-level domain A top-level domain not tied to a country, run under ICANN contracts. Full definition of gTLD before it is added to the root zone The top of the DNS, listing every TLD and its name servers. Full definition of root zone.
The authors describe ICANN’s objection process as a specialized form of dispute resolution. It sits between Internet governance, trademark law and international arbitration. Independent dispute resolution provider An organization approved to administer domain name dispute cases and appoint panels. Full definition of dispute resolution provider hear the cases under the gTLD Applicant Guidebook The rulebook for applying for a new gTLD in an ICANN round. Full definition of Applicant Guidebook. Each objection ground has its own standards, standing rules, evidence requirements and procedures, so the result often depends on understanding the ICANN framework and earlier panel The one or three independent experts who decide a domain dispute. Full definition of panel decisions as much as on the merits. They say parties should also study the precedent from the 2012 round The first round of ICANN's New gTLD Program, which opened for applications in 2012. Full definition of 2012 round, which panels are expected to draw on.
The Applicant Guidebook sets out four objection grounds. Each is aimed at a different concern and is handled by a different dispute resolution provider. They are objection (new gTLD) A formal complaint against a new gTLD application, decided by an independent panel. Full definition of objection (new gTLD), Legal Rights Objections, Limited Public Interest Objections and Community Objections. The authors say the ground chosen can shape both the procedure and the arguments available, so parties should assess possible objections as soon as applications are published.
String Confusion Objections are governed by Module 4 of the Applicant Guidebook. They apply when an applied-for gTLD is said to be confusingly similar to an existing top-level domain or to another applied-for gTLD. Panels look beyond visual similarity and may consider appearance, pronunciation, meaning and overall commercial impression. An objector may argue that two strings that are not identical are still close enough for internet users to assume a relationship, affiliation or association between them.
Existing gTLD operators, country-code top-level domain (ccTLD country code top-level domain A top-level domain for a country or territory, usually two letters long. Full definition of ccTLD) operators, certain interested parties linked to a relevant country or territory, and competing applicants in the current round all have standing to file a String Confusion Objection. The result depends on who wins. If the successful objector is another applicant, the strings may be placed in the same contention set and go through contention resolution. If the successful objector is an existing gTLD operator, a ccTLD manager The organization that runs a country code top-level domain. Full definition of ccTLD manager or another qualifying party, the challenged application may be disqualified. If the objection fails, the application continues through the approval process.
Weslow and Sainati say that bringing or defeating these objections requires linguistic analysis, technical knowledge of the DNS Domain Name System The internet's directory that links domain names to computer addresses. Full definition of DNS, evidence of how consumers perceive the strings, and familiarity with prior ICANN decisions. They note that Legal Rights Objections are often discussed and often misunderstood, because they give trademark owners and other rights holders a way to challenge an application. The source text ends before it sets out the standards for those objections.