[onion2k]

The etymology of a word is a silly reason to deny assigning ownership of a TLD. How the word originated is far less important than how it's used. The case Brazil et al are making is that the global common understanding of "Amazon" is more theirs than Bezos'.

In this case though it seems like the most common use for a .amazon domain would be to scam Amazon customers. Tourism could easily go under a .com. That'd be a good reason to assign it to Amazon. It'd be in the interests of people regardless of the company.

[fastball]

Even given your second point, I would argue with the first, given that I think that globally, the company is more thought of when someone sees the word "Amazon" in 2020 than the rainforest.

[peterwwillis]

That's not even the important point. Ownership of a domain name doesn't have to do with who is more of the owner of the name, nor whether the name is "etymologically pure", or whose use of the name is more popular. The entire right to own a domain (or TLD) is based solely upon ICANN's Uniform Dispute Resolution Process, and any established case law which exists in your particular jurisdiction. So this thing that the majority of the world's communication and commerce is dependent upon is adjudicated by a private entity in a single country that makes its own rules.

[celeritascelery]

That’s exactly the situation the South American countries what to fight against.

[fastball]

So it's not AMZN that wants to own the word, it's South American countries that want to do so, even though they have no more right to it than the company.

[onion2k]

They had the word first. That is a compelling argument.

Imagine I start a company today called "America" (I'm in the UK). My business is wildly successful and grows to the point of being a global unicorn that can afford gTLDs. Should ICANN allow me to own .america? A lot of people would argue I shouldn't..

[fastball]

They did not have the word first. Amazon was first used to describe warrior-women from Scythia.

[anoncake]

Of course they do simply by virtue of being sovereign countries rather than some corporation.

[neiman]

"the amazon": thought of the rainforest/river (only)

"amazon": thought of as either the rainforest/river or the company.

I really dunno what does the world population think of that though (no one knows really).

[vhvjkyhkogvv]

> the amazon

I think of tall female warriors

[anoncake]

If tall female legendary Greek warriors show up and make a claim to the .amazon TLD, we should consider their claim. So far they haven't.

[perl4ever]

The river was named due to a European associating it with the mythical warriors.

[anoncake]

Go on?

[neiman]

That's "The amazons", in plural.

[perl4ever]

In English, "the Amazon" could also be a valid phrase apart from the river. For instance, you might have a course called "The Amazon in Ancient Greek and Modern Culture".

[Izkata]

No, it would still be "The Amazons from Ancient Greece" or "The Greek Amazons" or something. "Amazon" singular in that context is only used as an adjective, such as "the Amazon Queen".

Quick edit: Ah wait, I think I see what you're doing with that phrase. It's shorthand for "The Amazon culture" or "Amazon depictions" or something, but it still comes off as strange-sounding to me.

[vhvjkyhkogvv]

Well it could refer to a specific one.

[perl4ever]

Is it wrong to think of the mythical warriors?

Also, maybe someone should make a modest proposal to Bezos to rename the company "Orellana".