New Top Level Domain names released | From A-Z

Iowa Intellectual Property Law Dickinson Law Firm Des Moines, Iowa

Posted on 06/13/2012 at 11:14 AM by The Newsroom

As anticipated, the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) released the list of businesses and organizations that have applied for customized top-level domain names (TLDs). This will be a significant expansion of the domain names in existence today – some 22 TLDs currently. View the full list. From a review of the list, more than 500 businesses and organizations applied for 1,930 generic TLDs at the cost of approximately $185,000 each.  More than half of the applications come from U.S. companies – 883 total. European applications numbered 675; Asia-Pacific region numbered 303; and Africa 17. Some well-known companies that applied for new addresses include Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, American Express, Macy's, Wal-Mart, Yahoo!, and General Motors – as well as many notable others. Some interesting statistics regarding the applications:

  • Google applied for more than 100 domains including .google, .youtube, .lol, .boo, and .dad.

  • Amazon applied for 76 names including .amazon and .zappos

  • Coca-Cola and Kellogg abstained from applying, protesting the process

  • No applications were submitted by Facebook or Twitter

  • Multiple applications were filed for names such as .inc, .home, .llc, .blog, .movie, and .music.

In total, ICANN collected some $350 million for the new applications. Some organizations are trying to withdraw applications: 150 refunds totaling $3.5 million are pending. What Happens Now? According to ICANN, it will receive objections to any of the applications for the next seven (7) months. Simultaneously, panels will begin reviewing the applications for similarity of applied-for generic TLDs to another TLD, whether the application meets the technical requirements, and other factors. The first set of new domains is anticipated to go live in March 2013. For domains for which there were multiple applications, the process is still under development. However, there is some indication that auctions may occur – this might prove lively!

The material in this blog is not intended, nor should it be construed or relied upon, as legal advice. Please consult with an attorney if specific legal information is needed.

 

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