The new domain extensions will include geo domains (.NYC, .PARIS), application based domains (.BANK, .SSL), special interest domains (.ECO, .FOOD) and brand domains (.CANON, .DELOITTE).  ICANN is sponsoring a four month communication period in the second half of 2011 to create awareness, followed by the application acceptance period scheduled to open on January 12, 2012 and close on April 12, 2012.   An approval period will follow in order to review all applicants and to address any gTLD strings that are sought after by more than one party.  The results of the applications will be published in November of 2012.  Safenames projects that we will see new TLDs approved and available for registration in 1Q 2013.

Safenames will be hosting a Webinar on new gTLDs on June 29^th to advise you on how you can apply for your own TLD and how Safenames can help you prepare your brand(s) for the new domain choices that will be available .  Details on how to register for this event will be available shortly.

If you have any questions regarding new gTLDs and the ICANN application process, please contact your Safenames account manager.

You may also contact the Safenames UK office at +44 1908 200022 and emeasales@safenames.net, or the Safenames US office at +1.703.574.5313 and nasales@safenames.net.

Related posts:

1. ICANN Projects the Launch of 200-300 New gTLDs Annually
2. ICANN releases timeline for New Top Level Domains
3. ICANN Board approves plan to begin accepting new gTLD applications in May 2011

ICANN’s New TLDs under Attack?

ICANN and its staff faced harsh questioning during most of the session—and the atmosphere seemed to hinder progress for proponents of new TLD program. While Kurt Pritz, ICANN’s SR Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, testified in favor of the benefits of new TLDs, he was vastly outnumbered by representatives from the Intellectual Property and Internet User communities who testified to the potential negative impacts. If the hearing accomplished anything it may be to slow down the introduction of new TLDs, generating more discussion and debate and possibly delaying a final decision. 

Does Congress Understand the Issues?

It seemed as though subcommittee members were scattered in their questioning and often went off topic. Their stated primary objective was to understand the validity of new TLDs and how the rights of trademark holders can be protected. But the questions from the sub-committee covered topics such as: (1) justification for new TLD application fees; (2) the cost of domain registrations; (3) the secondary domain market; (3) China’s increased control over the Internet; (4) ICANN staff salary; and (5) a planned ICANN “New TLD approval Party.” Clearly not all relevant. When they were able to stay on topic, however, the discussions did traverse demand for new TLDs, increased consumer choice and business opportunities that new TLDs would create—so perhaps not all was lost. 

What is the US Government’s Role in ICANN?

The US Department of Commerce has an oversight role in ICANN, but as part of a 2006 agreement, ICANN has been steadily moving towards becoming an independent organization. The US Government has membership in the Government Advisory Committee (GAC), but as a single member of this stakeholder group, how much power does the United States have? It is unclear how much Congress can further influence the new TLD process—primarily because the question “to whom does ICANN answer?” is unanswered.

The next three months are likely to define the future of new TLDs. And we should expect answers to important questions. Will ICANN try to appease the US Congress or will they march ahead with the new TLD approval without US government support? What will be the US Government’s response? Stayed tuned as the drama around new TLDs continues to unfold.

If you have any questions regarding new gTLDs and the ICANN application process, please contact your Safenames account manager.

You may also contact the Safenames UK office at +44 1908 200022 and emeasales@safenames.net, or the Safenames US office at +1.703.574.5313 and nasales@safenames.net.

Related posts:

1. ICANN Board approves New generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs)
2. ICANN posts new TLD Applicant Guidebook – Could Approval for new Domain Extensions be next?
3. ICANN Projects the Launch of 200-300 New gTLDs Annually

If you would like to review and/or post a comment on the Applicant Guidebook, please visit the ICANN web site http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/comments-6-en.htm. 

Additionally, if you have any questions about applying for a new domain extension or how you can prepare your company for the potential launch of new TLDs, you can contact us at Safenames in the US, +1.703.574.5313 and nasales@safenames.net, or at Safenames in the UK at +44 1908 200022 and emeasales@safenames.net.

Related posts:

1. ICANN releases timeline for New Top Level Domains
2. ICANN Board approves New generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs)
3. All Signs Indicated that New gTLDs will Forward

It has often been asserted by trademark holders that the new round of gTLDs will have a major and catastrophic financial impact on brands.

But beyond these alarmist statements, is there any empirical evidence to either back this up, or to prove it false?

After examining all UDRP cases done by WIPO and the NAF, sorted by TLD, the evidence shows that new gTLDs play a very minor role in UDRPs, and that to the extent that a TLD matters, .com more prone to infringement than other, newer gTLDs. Infringements, as measured by UDRPs filed (regardless of outcome), show that infringement broadly correlate to the number of domains registered in a TLD zone, and not to the newness or recency of a TLD.

The study also predicts that if 300 new TLDs were created (an estimate made by several observers, including ICANN), there would be 316 new additional UDRPs filed. When combined with the new Uniform Rapid Suspension provisions that will be required for new gTLDs, these cases would result in a total additional cost to trademark holders of $869,000, or less than $.10 per trademark registered worldwide.

The data shows that, for enforcement via UDRP and URS, assertions that brand holders would be faced with enormous costs have been substantially overestimated.

Read the study.

News roundup

Dot-EU Domain Goes Live Today (Silicon.com) – Dec. 7

So Who Is Funding CFIT and Why? (The Register) – Dec. 7

EU Domain Name To Come Into Force (CBROnline.com) – Dec. 7

EU Plants “.eu” Internet Domain Name in Cyberspace (Pravda) – Dec. 7

Europe’s Own Internet Space Starts Wednesday (Reuters) – Dec. 7

8 November 2005
Special Meeting of the Board
Proposed Agenda 

- Consideration of .ASIA sTLD Application 
- Review and Consideration of Policy Development Process Results and Public Comments for “Procedure for use by ICANN in considering requests for consent and related contractual amendments to allow changes in the architecture or operation of a gTLD registry” 
- Board Governance Committee’s Recommendation for the Creation of a new Board Compensation Committee 
- Briefing Regarding Certain Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget Items 
- Authorization to Bind Professional Liability Insurance Proposal 
- Redelegation of .GS (South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands) 
- Approval of Legal Expenses 
- Single Letter 2d Level Domain Name Discussion 
- Authorization to Enter into Addendum to Marina del Rey Sublease 
- Proposed ICANN Bylaws Changes on Interim ALAC’s Certification of At-Large Structures 
- Proposed Guidelines for Implementation of IDN’s, v.2.0 
- Approval of Board of Director’s Expenses 
- Other Business

Today, the story has been picked up in a number of publications.

EU Backs Plan For .kid TLD (TheRegister) – Sept. 8
Redux: European Parliament Proposes .kid Internet Domain (CircleID) – Sept. 8
EU Proposes .kid Domain (AustralianIT) – Sept. 8