Two major ICANN-accredited registrars have joined an organization that obligates them to support the claim that blockchain-based alternative root top-level domains (TLDs) have trademark rights to their strings.



United-Domains and MarkMonitor are now members of the Web3 Domain Alliance, which was established by Unstoppable Domains, a well-funded alternative root registry. The other companies on the member list seem to be more involved in the crypto/blockchain/Web3/NFT field rather than the traditional domain name industry.

This development is significant because the Alliance's platform could pose a challenge to ICANN when it opens up the next round of new gTLD applications, which may happen in the next few years. According to the Alliance's website, members not only have to promote the acceptance and interoperability of blockchain alt-root domains, but also advocate for the policy position that NFT domain registry owner-operators establish trademark rights in their web3 TLDs through commercial use and market penetration.

This could create a significant issue in the next new gTLD round, as current ICANN policies do not specifically address claims made by alt-root providers, and trademark owners have historically been unable to obtain trademarks on TLDs. In addition to announcing their membership, Unstoppable has declared that it will not enforce its patents against any Alliance member that implements its standards, as long as the member agrees not to enforce its own patents.

United-Domains is associated with United Internet, the same company that operates IONOS, 1&1, Sedo, and InternetX. MarkMonitor, since November, has been a part of Newfold Digital, the parent company of Network Solutions, Web.com, Register.com, BigRock, SnapNames, and others.

The Web3 Domain Alliance is a group of ICANN-accredited registrars that have joined together to support the adoption and integration of Web3 technologies into the domain name industry. ICANN, or the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is the organization responsible for coordinating and managing the internet's domain name system.

The alliance aims to promote the use of emerging technologies like blockchain, decentralized identity, and decentralized web protocols within the domain name ecosystem. By leveraging these technologies, the alliance seeks to facilitate greater ownership, control, and security for domain name holders.

Web3 technologies like blockchain provide a decentralized and tamper-proof infrastructure, offering enhanced security and immutability for domain names. This allows domain owners to have greater control over their online presence and reduces the risk of unauthorized modifications or hijacking of their domains.

Accredited registrars are organizations authorized by ICANN to register and manage domain names on behalf of individuals and businesses. By joining the Web3 Domain Alliance, these registrars commit to exploring and implementing Web3 technologies as a way to improve the domain name experience for their customers.

Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the alliance aims to drive innovation in the domain industry and explore new possibilities for domain name management. This includes exploring decentralized DNS systems, enabling seamless integration with blockchain-based platforms, and enhancing privacy and security features.

The Web3 Domain Alliance is also focused on promoting interoperability among different Web3 technologies and platforms. This means ensuring that domain names registered through ICANN-accredited registrars can seamlessly integrate with decentralized web protocols, blockchain-based platforms, and decentralized identity systems.

Interoperability allows for greater flexibility in how domain names are used and managed. It enables domain owners to link their domains to various Web3 applications and services, such as decentralized websites, blockchain-based marketplaces, and decentralized social networks. This opens up new possibilities for online interactions and transactions that are built on trust, transparency, and decentralization.

By joining the alliance, ICANN-accredited registrars are committing to actively explore and adopt these Web3 technologies and promote their use among their customers. This includes educating customers about the benefits of Web3 technologies, integrating support for decentralized identity systems, and collaborating with other alliance members to develop best practices and standards for Web3 domain name management.


The Web3 Domain Alliance is not a real alliance or initiative that exists in the domain name industry. It was mentioned as an example in the question, but there is no factual information about it.

However, it is worth noting that there are ongoing efforts within the domain name industry to explore the integration of Web3 technologies. Some ICANN-accredited registrars and other organizations have shown interest in leveraging blockchain and decentralized web protocols to enhance domain ownership, security, and control.

These efforts include initiatives like the Handshake project, which aims to create a decentralized root zone for domain names using blockchain technology. Handshake and similar projects envision a future where domain names are managed in a more distributed and secure manner, reducing dependencies on centralized authorities.

Additionally, some domain registrars and startups are exploring the use of blockchain for domain name ownership records, enabling users to have complete control over their domain names without relying on a central authority.

While these initiatives are still in their early stages, they reflect the growing interest in Web3 technologies within the domain name industry. As blockchain and decentralized technologies continue to mature, we may see further developments in this space with more ICANN-accredited registrars embracing and integrating these technologies into their services.