Applications / .smith / DC2669T-T68341 · published by ICANN 7 October 2026 · snapshot 2026-10-08
.smith
StandardActiveDotstrategy Co., US Q1·Q25
Ultimately controlled by William Doshier Q108 · ICANN record ↗
The applying entity, DotStrategy Co., is the ICANN-contracted registry operator for the .buzz top-level domain. The .buzz Registry Agreement with ICANN was executed on October 2, 2013, and the TLD entered General Availability on April 15, 2014. The IANA Root Zone Database identifies DotStrategy Co. as the registry operator for .buzz. Through its operation of .buzz, the applying entity has extensive experience in registry governance, ICANN contractual compliance, registrar relations, launch and ongoing registry operations, and coordination with its backend registry service provider.
§ 1 — Meaning of the string Q118·Q120
Smith is a common English-language surname and an occupational term for a maker or craftsperson. .SMITH provides a meaningful namespace for people, families, organizations, and projects connected to the Smith name or the idea of skilled making.
/smɪθ/
§ 2 — Mission and purpose Q133
The mission of .SMITH is to provide a clear, memorable, and human-centered namespace built around one of the world's most familiar surnames and the enduring idea of skilled making. "Smith" has two naturally complementary meanings: a widely recognized family name and an occupational term associated with creating, shaping, and repairing. .SMITH brings those meanings together in a distinctive digital home for identity, business, family, craft, and creativity.
Intended registrants include individuals and families with the surname Smith; businesses, professional firms, and organizations that include Smith in their names or brands; artisans and craftspeople whose work reflects the traditional meaning of smith; and makers, studios, writers, designers, and creative communities that use "smith" as a broader expression of craftsmanship. Genealogical, alumni, cultural, and family-history projects centered on the Smith name are also natural participants.
For Internet users, .SMITH provides an immediate and understandable signal about the identity or character of a website. Customers may use it to find a Smith-named business, families may use it to create a shared digital home, and audiences may encounter it as a sign of craftsmanship or creative expertise. In a world containing many people and organizations named Smith, the TLD can also provide useful context and differentiation.
Natural uses include personal websites and email, family hubs, professional practices, local businesses, portfolios, workshops, genealogical resources, and creative projects. A family might create a lasting home for photographs, histories, reunions, and future generations. A professional might build a memorable identity around their name. A business founded by a Smith could organize services, locations, or teams beneath a single descriptive namespace. Makers and creative professionals may use .SMITH to communicate the idea of thoughtful, skilled work. Illustrative, non-exclusive, and non-reserved examples might include john.smith, family.smith, studio.smith, design.smith, silver.smith, word.smith, or history.smith.
The Applicant intends to make .SMITH broadly available through ICANN-accredited registrars and to encourage meaningful adoption through practical naming guidance, use-case examples, registrar communications, and outreach to relevant communities. Potential audiences include surname holders, families, small businesses, professional services, genealogy communities, makers, craftspeople, designers, writers, and educators. Educational materials may demonstrate practical approaches to personal identity, email, family domains, business naming, and organization of content using memorable .SMITH addresses.
The long-term relevance of .SMITH is supported by several independent sources of demand. Smith is a widely occurring surname with continuing relevance across generations, creating a natural base of potential personal, family, professional, and business users. Its meaning as a maker or craftsperson broadens the namespace beyond surname use while remaining closely connected to the ordinary meaning of the word. Everyday uses such as professional identities, family domains, business websites, and email can also encourage active, long-term registrations and renewals.
Broad registrar distribution, practical education, and continued community engagement will support accessibility, adoption, and sustainable growth of the namespace over time. The Applicant will operate .SMITH in accordance with applicable ICANN requirements and established registry practices, providing a stable foundation on which registrants can build lasting digital identities.
Ultimately, .SMITH is about both identity and making - who you are and what you create. Whether it belongs to a family, a founder, a craftsperson, or someone shaping the next great idea, .SMITH gives a familiar name a distinctive place online.
§ 3 — Commitments and safeguards Q164–Q188
| More trustworthy, consumer risk, regulated sector, government reporting, harm, government function Q164–Q169 | No to each |
|---|---|
| Voluntary Safeguard PICs Q170·Q171 | None · 90 applications in the round offer some |
| Registry Voluntary Commitments Q172·Q173 | None · 5 do |
| Code of Conduct exemption requested Q185·Q188 | No |
§ 4 — All other published answers
Every other answer ICANN published for this application, in the order of the form. Contact details (Q17–Q24) are left to the ICANN record.
Q199Q2.2-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO, and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. If financial statements are provided by a Qualified Parent Entity (QPE) of the applying entity, the CEO, President, CFO, and/or equivalent officer of the QPE must co-sign the certification document. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC2.2-1.1 - As of the submission date of the application, the applying entity is a current registry operator or an affiliated entity of a current registry operator with one or more active Registry Agreements (RA). SC2.2-1.2 - The applying entity and/or a QPE will fund the startup and long-term operation of all of the applying entity’s current gTLDs and applied-for gTLD strings. SC2.2-1.3 - The applying entity and/or its officers are bound by law in its jurisdiction to represent financial statements accurately and the applying entity is in good standing in that jurisdiction.
Q2.2-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO, and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. If financial statements are provided by a Qualified Parent Entity (QPE) of the applying entity, the CEO, President, CFO, and/or equivalent officer of the QPE must co-sign the certification document. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC2.2-1.1 - As of the submission date of the application, the applying entity is a current registry operator or an affiliated entity of a current registry operator with one or more active Registry Agreements (RA). SC2.2-1.2 - The applying entity and/or a QPE will fund the startup and long-term operation of all of the applying entity’s current gTLDs and applied-for gTLD strings. SC2.2-1.3 - The applying entity and/or its officers are bound by law in its jurisdiction to represent financial statements accurately and the applying entity is in good standing in that jurisdiction.
Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.
Q200Q2.3-1 - Provide a document with a list of all of the applying entity’s current gTLDs and a list of all gTLDs for entities affiliated with the applying entity (if applicable).
Q2.3-1 - Provide a document with a list of all of the applying entity’s current gTLDs and a list of all gTLDs for entities affiliated with the applying entity (if applicable).
Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.
Q220Q5.1-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC5.1-1.1 - The applying entity will appropriately protect confidentiality of data and prevent unauthorized access to data and services. SC5.1-1.2 - The applying entity will maintain a mature, appropriately funded and staffed security program, following a recognized, modern security framework based on risk management (such as the ISO27000 series, COBIT, HITRUST CSF, legally required security frameworks, or equivalent). The security program must be in place prior to delegation, and exist through at least the period of the registry agreement. SC5.1-1.3 - The applying entity is aware of and has designed its systems and business to comply with the relevant privacy and security regulations for all countries in which it operates.
Q5.1-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC5.1-1.1 - The applying entity will appropriately protect confidentiality of data and prevent unauthorized access to data and services. SC5.1-1.2 - The applying entity will maintain a mature, appropriately funded and staffed security program, following a recognized, modern security framework based on risk management (such as the ISO27000 series, COBIT, HITRUST CSF, legally required security frameworks, or equivalent). The security program must be in place prior to delegation, and exist through at least the period of the registry agreement. SC5.1-1.3 - The applying entity is aware of and has designed its systems and business to comply with the relevant privacy and security regulations for all countries in which it operates.
Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.
Q221Q5.2-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC5.2-1.1 - The applying entity will, no later than delegation of the Top Level Domain (TLD), establish a dedicated abuse point of contact responsible for addressing matters requiring expedited attention and providing a timely response to abuse complaints concerning any name registered in the TLD. SC5.2-1.2 - The applying entity will, no later than delegation of the TLD, establish, publish, and provide to ICANN the location of a mechanism for members of the public to submit reports of abuse in accordance with the current obligations of the Base RA and any Consensus Policies. SC5.2-1.3 - The applying entity has developed proposed measures for removal of orphan glue records for names removed from the zone when provided with evidence in written form that the glue is present in connection with malicious conduct (see Specification 6). SC5.2-1.4 - The applying entity has or will have at time of delegation, established policies for handling complaints regarding abuse. Such policies are to be maintained and posted publicly so that anyone can review the policies via the Internet and any other means deemed appropriate by the applying entity. The applying entity’s policies at a minimum should contain appropriate confirmation of the receipt of the abuse report, the process of review of the report, and actions that will be taken if the applying entity confirms the report is legitimate. SC5.2-1.5 - The applying entity understands that DNS Abuse is Phishing, Malware, Botnets, Pharming and Spam (when used to deliver other forms of DNS Abuse). The applying entity understands and is prepared to contribute to the mitigation or disruption of DNS Abuse in domains in the TLD zone. SC5.2-1.6 - The applying entity’s abuse response capabilities are resourced appropriately to ensure a timely and adequate investigation and response to reports of DNS Abuse. This includes capabilities to receive and evaluate evidence of DNS Abuse in reports, and to take action to stop or disrupt the DNS Abuse. SC5.2-1.7 - The applying entity is prepared to conduct periodic scans of its zone to identify if domains are being used to perpetrate DNS Abuse, and to maintain statistical reports of the scans, the findings, and actions taken.
Q5.2-1 - Provide the applying entity’s self-certification document, signed by the CEO, President, CFO and/or equivalent officer of the applying entity. The self-certification document must represent and warrant: SC5.2-1.1 - The applying entity will, no later than delegation of the Top Level Domain (TLD), establish a dedicated abuse point of contact responsible for addressing matters requiring expedited attention and providing a timely response to abuse complaints concerning any name registered in the TLD. SC5.2-1.2 - The applying entity will, no later than delegation of the TLD, establish, publish, and provide to ICANN the location of a mechanism for members of the public to submit reports of abuse in accordance with the current obligations of the Base RA and any Consensus Policies. SC5.2-1.3 - The applying entity has developed proposed measures for removal of orphan glue records for names removed from the zone when provided with evidence in written form that the glue is present in connection with malicious conduct (see Specification 6). SC5.2-1.4 - The applying entity has or will have at time of delegation, established policies for handling complaints regarding abuse. Such policies are to be maintained and posted publicly so that anyone can review the policies via the Internet and any other means deemed appropriate by the applying entity. The applying entity’s policies at a minimum should contain appropriate confirmation of the receipt of the abuse report, the process of review of the report, and actions that will be taken if the applying entity confirms the report is legitimate. SC5.2-1.5 - The applying entity understands that DNS Abuse is Phishing, Malware, Botnets, Pharming and Spam (when used to deliver other forms of DNS Abuse). The applying entity understands and is prepared to contribute to the mitigation or disruption of DNS Abuse in domains in the TLD zone. SC5.2-1.6 - The applying entity’s abuse response capabilities are resourced appropriately to ensure a timely and adequate investigation and response to reports of DNS Abuse. This includes capabilities to receive and evaluate evidence of DNS Abuse in reports, and to take action to stop or disrupt the DNS Abuse. SC5.2-1.7 - The applying entity is prepared to conduct periodic scans of its zone to identify if domains are being used to perpetrate DNS Abuse, and to maintain statistical reports of the scans, the findings, and actions taken.
Answered with a document. Attachments are not published by ICANN.
Q121As per Section 3(d) of Specification 11 of the Base Registry Agreement, a registry operator of a “generic string” may not impose eligibility criteria for registering names in the TLD that limit registrations exclusively to a single person or entity and/or that person’s or entity’s “Affiliates” (as defined in Section 2.9(c) of the Registry Agreement). “Generic String” means a string consisting of a word or term that denominates or describes a general class of goods, services, groups, organizations or things, as opposed to distinguishing a specific brand of goods, services, groups, organizations or things from those of others. Confirm that the applied-for string is not a “generic string” in which the applying entity intends to limit registrations exclusively to a single person or entity.
As per Section 3(d) of Specification 11 of the Base Registry Agreement, a registry operator of a “generic string” may not impose eligibility criteria for registering names in the TLD that limit registrations exclusively to a single person or entity and/or that person’s or entity’s “Affiliates” (as defined in Section 2.9(c) of the Registry Agreement). “Generic String” means a string consisting of a word or term that denominates or describes a general class of goods, services, groups, organizations or things, as opposed to distinguishing a specific brand of goods, services, groups, organizations or things from those of others. Confirm that the applied-for string is not a “generic string” in which the applying entity intends to limit registrations exclusively to a single person or entity.
true
Q223By submitting this Application, the applying entity confirms that it is submitting this Application with a good faith (“bona fide”) intent to operate the gTLD for which it has applied, and that the applying entity has read and understands the provisions of Section 5.2.3.1 Prohibited Communications and Activities of the Applicant Guidebook regarding the New gTLD Program rules prohibiting certain communications and activities to prevent parties from privately resolving string contention among themselves.
By submitting this Application, the applying entity confirms that it is submitting this Application with a good faith (“bona fide”) intent to operate the gTLD for which it has applied, and that the applying entity has read and understands the provisions of Section 5.2.3.1 Prohibited Communications and Activities of the Applicant Guidebook regarding the New gTLD Program rules prohibiting certain communications and activities to prevent parties from privately resolving string contention among themselves.
true
Q224By submitting this Application, the applying entity confirms that it has read and understands the provisions of Section 5.2.3.1 Prohibited Communications and Activities of the Applicant Guidebook regarding the New gTLD Program rules prohibiting certain communications and activities to prevent parties from privately resolving string contention among themselves.
By submitting this Application, the applying entity confirms that it has read and understands the provisions of Section 5.2.3.1 Prohibited Communications and Activities of the Applicant Guidebook regarding the New gTLD Program rules prohibiting certain communications and activities to prevent parties from privately resolving string contention among themselves.
true