Texas opposes .texas gTLD applications without state consent

The State of Texas has taken a firm stance against the delegation of the .texas generic top-level domain (gTLD) to any entity other than itself. In a letter sent to ICANN earlier this month, the state’s chief information officer, Anthony Sauerhoff, stated that Texas does not support—and actively objects to—any applications for the .texas string or its derivatives. The move marks the first instance of a U.S. state government publicly opposing a gTLD matching its name without having submitted its own application for the string.

Sauerhoff’s letter, issued at the direction of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, emphasized the potential for misuse, reputational damage, and confusion among residents and businesses if the domain were delegated to a third party. The letter did not confirm whether Texas itself has applied for the .texas gTLD, leaving the status of any potential state-led bid unclear. No applicant has publicly announced plans to pursue the string, suggesting that any prior interest may have been withdrawn in light of the state’s opposition.

ICANN’s protected strings policy

Under ICANN’s Applicant Guidebook, strings matching geographic names—including state names like "Texas"—are classified as protected. This designation requires explicit government support for any application to proceed. The policy aims to prevent unauthorized use of geographic identifiers that could mislead users or imply official endorsement. Texas’s objection aligns with this framework, effectively blocking any application lacking state consent.

The timing of the objection raises questions about whether private entities had previously explored applying for .texas. While no public announcements have been made, the state’s preemptive stance suggests awareness of potential interest. ICANN’s next steps will likely involve reviewing the objection and determining whether any pending applications exist, though none have been disclosed to date.

Implications for future gTLD applications

Texas’s action could set a precedent for other U.S. states or governments considering objections to gTLDs matching their names. The state’s argument—that delegation to non-government entities risks harm—may resonate with jurisdictions seeking to protect their digital identity. For applicants, the case underscores the importance of securing government support early in the process, particularly for strings tied to geographic or sensitive terms.

The broader impact on ICANN’s new gTLD program remains limited, as .texas is not among the most contested strings. However, the objection highlights ongoing challenges in balancing private innovation with public interest in domain delegation. Operators and investors in the domain space will need to monitor whether other states adopt similar positions, particularly for strings with high commercial or symbolic value.

What to watch

• Whether Texas submits its own application for .texas in the future.
• ICANN’s response to the objection and any potential review of pending applications.
• Reactions from other U.S. states or governments regarding gTLDs matching their names.
• Broader industry discussions on the role of government consent in geographic string delegation.