Taylor Swift is being proactive against Internet trolls by buying up the Web domain names TaylorSwift.porn and TaylorSwift.adult before they go on sale to the public this summer.
In 2011, the nonprofit Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) decided to expand the number of generic top-level domains, or gTLDs, like .com and .net, from 22 to more than 547, with new suffixes released every month, CNN Money reported.
ICANN is releasing the Web domain names for sale to the public on June 1, but some select celebrities and companies have already been given the opportunity to buy them.
In addition to Ms. Swift, Microsoft Office and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson have also reportedly bought .adult and .porn domains.
ICANN claims that its program to expand gTLDs will be beneficial for Web users, because descriptive domains like .healthcare, .deals, and .amsterdam, help ensure Web users arrive at their intended destination, CNN reported.
Ms. Swift recently applied to trademark five phrases from her latest album “1989” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
“Party like it’s 1989,” “this sick beat,” “cause we never go out of style,” “could show you incredible things” and “nice to meet you, where you been?” were all apparently registered by the singer, BBC reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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