Application Details

Last published on: 7 October 2026 at 15:28 UTC

Application Type: Replacement String

Primary String: pilot

Application ID: NA2631T-T26726-R

Application Priority Number: --

Application Status: Deactivated

Processing Stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing

Comment Period: --

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Summary Responses Clarifying Questions Change Requests Documents Objections

Application Responses

Section: Applying Entity Information

This question set collects information regarding the legal entity that would enter into a Registry Agreement with ICANN upon successful completion of all relevant application processes. The information collected is intended to be used for background screening.

AGB Q1. Full Legal Name

Provide the full legal name of the applying entity as it appears on the official registration documents. Do not use abbreviations.

Registry Services, LLC

AGB Q3. Legal Entity Form/Business Structure

Provide the long form (no acronyms) of the legal entity form/business structure of the applying entity as it appears on the official registration documents. If the original script of the legal entity form/business structure is not English, ONLY provide its official English translation. No additional information should be provided as this will be used for the automatic population of the Registry Agreement.

Limited liability company

AGB Q4. Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction indicates the location in which the business of the applying entity is registered for legal and financial purposes. This is either 1) a country name, or a 2) state/territory name, depending on where the applying entity is registered. No additional information should be provided as this will be used for the automatic population of the Base Registry Agreement. Examples include "Delaware", "Germany", etc.

Delaware

AGB Q10. Website URL

Provide the website URL of the applying entity, if available.

https://registry.godaddy/

AGB Q11. Is the applying entity an existing registry operator, ICANN accredited registrar, or an Affiliate of either?

1. Choose Yes or No. 2. Use the definition of Affiliate from the Base Registry Agreement (see https://www.icann.org/en/registry-agreements/base-agreement).

true

AGB Q12. If "Yes", explain.

1. Specify if the applying entity is an existing registry operator, ICANN accredited registrar, and/or an Affiliate of a registry operator and/or registrar. 2. If the applying entity is an Affiliate, provide the details of such Affiliate relationship, including the name of the affiliated registry operator and/or registrar. 3. If the applying entity is an ICANN accredited registrar, specify the registrar ID number.

1. Existing Registry Operator and Affiliate of Registrars 2. Affiliated Registrars: GoDaddy.com, LLC (IANA 146) Bombora Technologies Pty Ltd (IANA 353) Wild West Domains, LLC (IANA 440) Blue Razor Domains, LLC (IANA 612) Go China Domains, LLC (IANA 1149) Go Canada Domains, LLC (IANA 1150) Go Australia Domains, LLC (IANA 1151) Go Montenegro Domains, LLC (IANA 1152) Go France Domains, LLC (IANA 1153) Mesh Digital Limited (IANA 1390) 123-Reg Limited (IANA 1515) GoDaddy Online Services Cayman Islands Ltd (IANA 1659) GoDaddy Corporate Domains, LLC (IANA 3786)

AGB Q13. Is the applying entity a back-end registry service provider (RSP), an ICANN-approved data escrow agent, an emergency back-end registry operator, a Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) service provider, an ICANN dispute resolution service provider, a Privacy or Proxy Service Provider, or a Reseller?

Choose Yes or No.

true

AGB Q14. If the applying entity is an Affiliate of any of the entities listed in Question 13, explain.

1. Use the definition of Affiliate from the Base Registry Agreement (see https://www.icann.org/en/registry-agreements/base-agreement). 2. Provide the type of the provider and the name of the applicable entity of which the applying entity is an Affiliate.

Yes, Affiliate of resellers: Domains Priced Right Heart Internet Host Europe Mad Dog Domains Media Temple Mr. Site TSO Host

AGB Q17. Phone Country Code

AGB Q18. Primary Business Phone

Provide the primary business phone number without including the country code.

4805058800

AGB Q19. Primary Business Email Address

Provide the primary business email address of the applying entity.

rsllc-primary@registry.godaddy

AGB Q20. Address Line 1

Enter the street address (no PO Box).

100 S Mill Avenue

AGB Q21. Address Line 2

Suite 1600

AGB Q22. Locality

Enter the city, village, municipality, etc.

Tempe

AGB Q23. State/Province/Region

Enter the state, province, department, territory, prefecture, oblast, etc., if applicable.

Arizona

AGB Q24. Postal Code

1. Enter the postal code, if applicable. 2. If a postal code does not exist, type “Not Applicable”.

85281

AGB Q25. Country Code of Location

AGB Q26. Full Legal Name

If applicable, provide the full legal name as it appears on the official registration documents of the Direct Parent Company of the applying entity. Do not use abbreviations.

Desert Newco, LLC

AGB Q28. Legal Entity Form/Business Structure

Provide the long form (no acronyms) of the legal entity form/business structure of the Direct Parent Company as it appears on the official registration documents. If the original script of the legal entity form/business structure is not English, ONLY provide its official English translation.

Limited liability company

AGB Q29. Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction indicates the location in which the business of the Direct Parent Company is registered for legal and financial purposes. This is either 1) a country name, or a 2) state/territory name, depending on where the Direct Parent Company is registered. Examples include "Delaware", "Germany", etc.

Delaware

AGB Q36. Full Legal Name

If applicable, provide the full legal name as it appears on the official registration documents of the Ultimate Parent Company of the applying entity. Do not use abbreviations. "Ultimate Parent Company" means, with respect to an Applicant (and, if applicable, a Direct Parent Company), the top-level entity that directly or indirectly possesses the power to direct the management and policies of such Applicant (and, if applicable, a Direct Parent Company) through the ownership of voting securities, as a general partner, as a managing member, by contract, or otherwise. An Ultimate Parent Company is not controlled by any other entity. If there are no intermediary entities between the Applicant and the Ultimate Parent Company, the Ultimate Parent Company would be the same entity as the Direct Parent Company.

GoDaddy Inc.

AGB Q38. Legal Entity Form/Business Structure

Provide the long form (no acronyms) of the legal entity form/business structure of the Ultimate Parent Company as it appears on the official registration documents. If the original script of the legal entity form/business structure is not English, ONLY provide its official English translation.

Corporation

AGB Q39. Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction indicates the location in which the business of the Ultimate Parent Company is registered for legal and financial purposes. This is either 1) a country name, or a 2) state/territory name, depending on where the Direct Parent Company is registered. Examples include "Delaware", "Germany", etc.

Delaware

Section: Applying Entity Background and Organization

Section: Self-Certification

Section: Operational/Planning

Section: Security Policy and Planning

Section: DNS Abuse

Provide a single document for Self-Certification question AGB Q221, Q5.2-1. The document must include only the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements. Do not modify any of the Self-Certification statements. If the applicant cannot Self-Certify the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements, provide a document that explains why the applying entity cannot Self-Certify the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements.

AGB Q221. 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.

1. Provide a single document for Self-Certification question Q5.2-1. 2. The document must include only the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements. 3. Do not modify any of the Self-Certification statements. 4. If the applying entity cannot Self-Certify the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements, provide a document that explains why the applying entity cannot Self-Certify the SC5.2-1.1 through SC5.2-1.7 statements.

Has Documents

Section: Primary String

This question set collects basic information regarding the string that is being applied for (for example, a-label, meaning, script). If the applying entity opts to designate a replacement string, it must answer the same set of questions for the replacement string from the AGB Question Set 5 on.

AGB Q116. Applied-for Primary String (ASCII Label)

pilot

AGB Q118. What is the meaning/definition of the applied-for gTLD string?

Provide the meaning, or restatement of the string in English, that is, a description of the literal meaning of the string in the opinion of the applying entity. If there is no literal meaning in English (for example, a brand name or a proper noun without a translation) simply state "No English Translation"

"Pilot" refers to a person who operates or guides an aircraft, ship, or vehicle. It also denotes a small-scale trial version of a project, program, or product tested before a full launch.

AGB Q120. Phonetic Representation

Provide a representation of the string according to the International Phonetic Alphabet.

/ˈpaɪlət/

AGB Q121. 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.

Confirm the statement using a checkbox.

true

AGB Q133. What is the mission and purpose of the applied-for gTLD?

1. Describe the mission and purpose of the applied-for gTLD, including the intended registrants and users, and the related activities that have been or will be carried out to achieve this purpose. 1a. If applying for a variant of an existing gTLD, please also describe the mission and purpose of the existing gTLD, including the intended registrants and users, and the related activities that have been or will be carried out to achieve this purpose. 2. Explain how this purpose is sustainable over time.

1. Mission and Purpose of the Applied-for gTLD .pilot addresses a specific and repeatable moment: the point at which an idea moves from concept to controlled, real-world testing. Organizations run trials constantly, and each one needs a temporary but credible home where participants can sign up, follow progress, and give feedback without confusion with the parent brand's main site. A .pilot address makes the intent explicit. It signals "this is a test, and your input shapes what comes next," which encourages the candid participation that pilots depend on. The namespace serves two coherent audiences that share the same word. The first is the innovation and program-testing community, where "pilot" is standard vocabulary for a limited trial preceding a wider rollout. The second is the aviation and maritime community, where a pilot guides a craft with skill and authority. Both meanings center on guiding something safely through an unproven or demanding passage, which gives the string a consistent character across uses. For registrants, .pilot helps turn a working initiative into a recognizable presence. A cleanly named trial site (for example, a program name paired with .pilot) is easy to share in an enrollment email, a stakeholder deck, or a recruitment notice, and it clearly frames expectations for everyone who arrives. For flight schools and training bodies, the same word carries professional weight and instant clarity about what the site represents. Intended Registrants: Organizations and teams running pilot programs and early-stage trials: product companies, research groups, innovation labs, healthcare and public-sector initiatives, and startups testing new offerings. A secondary registrant group includes aviation and maritime professionals, flight schools, and training organizations. Related Activities Supporting the Purpose: • Awareness-building among innovation, product, and R&D communities that regularly stand up trial initiatives. • Registrar distribution to reach startups, enterprises, and educational institutions. • Registrant education highlighting how a dedicated address separates a trial phase from a permanent flagship site. • Community outreach to accelerator programs, incubators, and aviation training networks. • Responsible registry operations consistent with standard practice. 2. Sustainability of the Purpose Over Time The durability of "pilot" rests on a simple structural fact about how organizations bring anything new into the world: they test before they commit. A pilot phase is not a passing fashion or a feature of one industry; it is a fixed stage in the lifecycle of products, policies, treatments, curricula, and services. Every serious rollout is preceded by a smaller, observed version of itself, and that smaller version needs its own identity while it runs. Regulated and evidence-driven fields reinforce this further. Clinical research, public health programs, education reform, and infrastructure projects formally require pilot stages before scaling, embedding the concept into approval processes and funding structures. The aviation and maritime meaning adds a second, independent foundation. Piloting is a licensed, apprenticed profession sustained by training pipelines, certification bodies, and safety institutions that renew their ranks generation after generation. This meaning does not depend on the innovation cycle at all, so the string draws relevance from two unrelated sources, reducing its exposure to shifts in any single sector. Because both senses of the word revolve around guiding something carefully through a critical, high-stakes passage (a first flight, a first market test), the concept retains its meaning even as the specific projects, industries, and methods behind each pilot change.

Section: Safeguard Identification

This question set collects information related to determining whether certain Safeguard Public Interest Commitments (Safeguard PICs) are required for the applied-for gTLD string. See Section 7.8.2.3 Safeguard PICs. Answers to these questions will inform assessment by ICANN on whether and which Safeguard PICs must be incorporated in the applicable Registry Agreement (RA) if the string proceeds to delegation. The answers themselves will not automatically make such a determination.

AGB Q164. Will people see a domain name as more trustworthy because it is registered in your TLD? Think about how people around the world will understand the TLD string(s) in the application, including literal and informal meanings in different languages and regions.

1. When answering the questions, apply criteria by considering the meaning of the requested TLD string in the following contexts: a. Literally as described in the application b. Literally in any other language in which the string is a recognized word or phrase. c. Informally in any language or regional variant, where alternative meanings exist. 2. If the proverbial “reasonable person” who understands the relevant context believes that the question should be answered ‘yes’, then the answer is yes.

Yes

AGB Q165. Is it likely that consumers will face significant risks if domain names in the TLD(s) in the application are abused? Think about how people around the world will understand the TLD string(s) in the application, including literal and informal meanings in different languages and regions.

AGB Q166. Would people generally think that this TLD will be used by entities that require strict licensing or accreditation to do business? Think about how the TLD string(s) in the application will be understood around the world, including both literal and informal meanings in different languages and regions.

Yes

AGB Q167. Would most people think that (domains in) the TLD(s) in the application are used for activities that require regular government reporting, inspections, and oversight in various countries? Think about how the TLD string(s) in the application will be understood around the world, including both literal and informal meanings in different languages and regions.

AGB Q168. Could people reasonably believe that (domains in) your TLD will cause or lead to harassment, harm, aggression, complaints, criticism, distress, or embarrassment? Think about how the TLD string(s) in the application will be understood globally, including different languages and cultures.

1. When answering the questions, apply criteria by considering the meaning of the requested TLD string in the following contexts: a. Literally as described in the application b. Literally in any other language in which the string is a recognized word or phrase. c. Informally in any language or regional variant, where alternative meanings exist. I-2. If the proverbial “reasonable person” who understands the relevant context believes that the question should be answered ‘yes’, then the answer is yes.

AGB Q169. Would most people think that the TLD is used for something usually done by governments? Think about how the TLD string(s) in the application will be understood globally, including different languages and cultures.

1. When answering the questions, apply criteria by considering the meaning of the requested TLD string in the following contexts: a. Literally as described in the application b. Literally in any other language in which the string is a recognized word or phrase. c. Informally in any language or regional variant, where alternative meanings exist. I-2. If the proverbial “reasonable person” who understands the relevant context believes that the question should be answered ‘yes’, then the answer is yes.

AGB Q170. Are you proposing to include one or more of the Safeguard Public Interest Commitments (Safeguard PICs) in the Registry Agreement (RA) voluntarily regardless of ICANN’s Safeguard Assessment outcomes?

Select Yes or No. Notes: 1. ICANN will evaluate whether an applied-for gTLD string requires one or more Safeguard Public Interest Commitments (Safeguard PICs) to be included in the Base RA). 2. In addition to the Mandatory Public Interest Commitments (PICs) that must be included in each Base RA, a subset of Base RAs must include Safeguard PICs based on ICANN’s Safeguard Assessment. See Section 7.8.2.3 Safeguard PICs. 3. Applying entities for TLDs that are not found to require Safeguard PICs can elect to add them to the applicable Base RAs voluntarily to, for example, further their business objectives, help address issues or concerns that are raised or could be raised with respect to their applications, or avoid the need for the evaluation and implementation of customized Registry Voluntary Commitment (RVC). See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs).

Yes

AGB Q171. If Yes, which Safeguard PIC(s) are you proposing to include in the RA?

Choose the applicable Safeguard PICs from the provided list (more than one option can be selected).

• Registry Operators will include a provision in their Registry-Registrar Agreements that requires Registrars to include in their Registration Agreements a provision requiring registrants to comply with all applicable laws, including those that relate to privacy, data collection, consumer protection (including in relation to misleading and deceptive conduct), fair lending, debt collection, organic farming, disclosure of data, and financial disclosures. • Registry Operators will include a provision in their Registry-Registrar Agreements that requires registrars at the time of registration to notify registrants of the requirement to comply with all applicable laws. • Registry Operators will include a provision in their Registry-Registrar Agreements that requires Registrars to include in their Registration Agreements a provision requiring that registrants who collect and maintain sensitive health and financial data implement reasonable and appropriate security measures commensurate with the offering of those services, as defined by applicable law. • Registry Operators will proactively create a clear pathway for the creation of a working relationship with the relevant regulatory or industry self-regulatory bodies by publicizing a point of contact and inviting such bodies to establish a channel of communication, including for the purpose of facilitating the development of a strategy to mitigate the risks of fraudulent and other illegal activities. • Registry Operators will include a provision in their Registry-Registrar Agreements that requires Registrars to include in their Registration Agreements a provision requiring Registrants to provide administrative contact information, which must be kept up-to-date, for the notification of complaints or reports of registration abuse, as well as the contact details of the relevant regulatory, or industry self-regulatory, bodies in their main place of business. • Registry Operators will include a provision in their Registry-Registrar Agreements that requires Registrars to include in their Registration Agreements a provision requiring a representation that the Registrant possesses any necessary authorizations, charters, licenses and/or other related credentials for participation in the sector associated with the Registry TLD string. • If a Registry Operator receives a complaint expressing doubt with regard to the authenticity of licenses or credentials, Registry Operators should consult with relevant national supervisory authorities, or their equivalents regarding the authenticity. • Registry Operators will include a provision in their Registry-Registrar Agreements that requires Registrars to include in their Registration Agreements a provision requiring Registrants to report any material changes to the validity of the Registrants' authorizations, charters, licenses and/or other related credentials for participation in the sector associated with the Registry TLD string in order to ensure they continue to conform to appropriate regulations and licensing requirements and generally conduct their activities in the interests of the consumers they serve.

Section: Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs)

This question set collects information related to any Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) that the applying entity is submitting. The decision to submit an RVC is typically voluntary, except for those recognized by ICANN to resolve an objection or to address GAC Consensus Advice. See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments for more information.

AGB Q172. Are you proposing to include one or more Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) in the Registry Agreement (RA) that are unique to your applied-for string?

1. Select Yes or No. 2. In addition to Safeguard Public Interest Commitments (PICs), an applying entity will be permitted to propose one or more Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) to provide additional safeguards with regard to the registry operator’s operation of an applied-for gTLD string. See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs). 3. RVCs are separate from Community Registration Policies. See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs) and Section 7.8.4 Community Registration Policies for more information. If you are applying for a Community gTLD, please submit the Community Registration Policies by answering Questions 150-155. However, if you propose to include additional Registry Voluntary Commitments in the RA beyond the Community Registration Policies, you may answer "yes" and proceed to answer the following questions. 4. You are encouraged to consider whether there are other means, separate from including commitment(s) in the Base RA, that could be used to further your business objectives or help resolve any anticipated or actual issue(s) raised regarding the applied-for gTLD string or application. See Section 7.8.3 Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs). Notes: If you select “yes” to this question, you are required to pay the conditional Registry Commitments Evaluation fee, and commitments that are approved by ICANN will be included in Specification 11 of the applicable Base RA as specific voluntary public interest commitments as contractual obligations.

Application Details

Application Responses

Section: Applying Entity Information

Section: Applying Entity Background and Organization

Section: Self-Certification

Section: Operational/Planning

Section: Security Policy and Planning

Section: DNS Abuse

Section: Primary String

Section: Safeguard Identification

Section: Registry Voluntary Commitments (RVCs)

Section: Brand & Code of Conduct Exemptions

Section: Additional Information and Supporting Materials

Section: Bona Fide Intent and Prohibited Communications