According to a press release just issued by Top Level Domain Holdings (TLDH) “a turning point has been reached for the timetable for the implementation of the new generic top level domain (“gTLD”) program.” and they expect that certain new registries “are likely to be revenue producing in 2013.”
“The first contracts or delegations are expected to be concluded following the next ICANN meeting in Beijing in the second week of April 2013. ”
“ICANN’s proposal will give priority to internationalized domain names (“IDNs”), including (“dot shopping” in Chinese characters), for which TLDH is the sole applicant preference
Members of ICANN’s Government Advisory Committee have made clear their intention to push for the prioritization of geographic gTLD applications, of which TLDH has several, including .LONDON.
Provided that the ICANN proposed timetable is broadly adhered to, the Board of TLDH believes that a number of the Group’s 17 uncontested gTLD applications on its own behalf and the 5 uncontested client gTLD applications are likely to be revenue producing in 2013, with the balance becoming so in the first half of 2014.
TLDH has commenced discussions with the leading worldwide registrars, premium name specialists, and secondary market platforms for distribution of these gTLD names.
TLDH is also working with other gTLD applicant groups to define formats for private auctions and other name resolution arrangements in respect of the contested names that TLDH has applied for.”
“The Board expects that these auctions are likely to happen in the second half of 2013.”
“Following the draw in December, when TLDH will learn the priority order of its gTLD applications, the Company’s registry business, Minds + Machines, plans to expand its operational team.”
“The Board has reviewed a number of possible locations for Minds + Machines operational centre and currently plans to base its core of activities in Dublin, Ireland, to support its geographic and generic gTLDs. ”
“In advance of the development of Minds + Machines European operations, the Board expects to make a number of new appointments, including further appointments of both executive and non-executive directors, to enhance and develop the Group’s capabilities.
“As a first step in this process, Caspar von Veltheim, who has been responsible for TLDH’s continental European applications in respect of .NRW and .BAYERN, will, on completion of satisfactory regulatory checks in compliance with the AIM Rules, join the Board of TLDH as an executive director with responsibility for Europe. ”
“Clark Landry, who has been a non-executive director of the Company since it was first admitted to trading on AIM, has decided to step down from the Board. “:
