.web Domain Added After Decades of Disputes

The .web domain has officially been added to global DNS servers and will be administered by Verisign, the same entity managing .com and .net. This integration follows the resolution of several long-standing disputes, details of which remain confidential.

The journey for the .web domain has been lengthy, beginning with its proposal in 1997. Despite initial proposals for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) in 1984, .web was not included. Its eventual addition faced significant hurdles, including a contentious auction in 2016.

In 2016, ICANN auctioned the .web domain, with NU DOT CO LLC winning the bid for $135 million, a sum reportedly provided by Verisign. This led to legal challenges from competitors, notably Afillas (later Altanovo), who alleged Verisign's use of a shell company violated ICANN rules. The U.S. Department of Justice also investigated Verisign in early 2017 but concluded without charges.

These resolved disputes, presumably referencing the legal wrangling and investigations, now permit Verisign to officially manage the .web domain. The successful delegation is expected to have a positive impact on Verisign's market standing.