DotMusic Ltd. has been granted the right to .MUSIC top-level domain name extension, beating out applicants such as Google and Amazon and the domain registries, Donuts, Radix and MMX.

.MUSIC will be the first domain extension launched with music-tailored policies to protect creators’ rights and ensure that legitimate music artists, industry professionals and companies can claim their name without fear of cybersquatting or piracy. The expected launch for .MUSIC is 2020.

“This is a new digital era for the global music community,” said DotMusic Founder and CEO Constantine Roussos. “For the first time in Internet history, music community members will be able to register their own exclusive, verified, and trusted .MUSIC domain name.”

The .MUSIC registry team will work closely with the global music community and the .MUSIC Governance Board to prepare for the safe launch of .MUSIC.

Praise on the decision came in from all corners of the music industry.

“Since the beginning, our hope was that this process would yield a .MUSIC domain where proper and effective safeguards would protect the rights of music creators globally and allow them control over their work,” said RIAA Chief Content Protection Officer Brad Buckles. “We look forward to working with DotMusic on implementing this vision to ensure that the internet ecosystem is a safe, vibrant, and innovative place where legitimate music creation, access, and distribution can thrive.”

Daryl P. Friedman, Chief Industry, Government and Relations Officer, The Recording Academy /GRAMMYs, said, “As an organization of performers, songwriters, and studio professionals, the Recording Academy is pleased to see the community-focus for the new .MUSIC domain.”

“The NMPA applauds DotMusic for establishing a critical domain that is tailored for the music creator community,” said David Israelite, President and CEO, National Music Publisher Association. “This was a hard-fought and competitive process and we look forward to the great potential of the .MUSIC domain for songwriters and music publishers alike who will greatly benefit from its piracy and copyright protections.”

“IFPI congratulates DotMusic on the success of its application to manage the .MUSIC domain. As the online marketplace around the world continues to evolve, so too do the challenges the music community faces in preventing music from being made available illegally and ensuring fans have access to licensed services.

Frances Moore, Chief Executive of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, said, “We welcome DotMusic’s commitments to safeguard .MUSIC domains against unlawful uses and we look forward to working closely with the DotMusic team in implementing those commitments.”

“A vetted .MUSIC domain is fully in line with our federation's goal to protect and further the economic, social and artistic interests of musicians globally," said Benoît Machuel, General Secretary of the International Federation of Musicians.

IMPALA, CISAC, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies and A2IM also applauded the decision.