Well ICANN is addressing what has become the hottest topic of the new gTLD program by just opened the comment period on the subject of "closed generic" gTLD applications and whether specific requirements should be adopted corresponding to this type of application. Stakeholder views are invited to help define and consider this issue. In particular, comments would be helpful in regard to proposed … [Read more...]
Microsoft Is Latest to Come Out Against Closed Generic New gTLD’s In Letter To ICANN
ICANN just published a letter it received from Microsoft.com which is objecting to closed generic strings. Here is the letter sent from the Assistant General Counsel , Trademarks Microsoft Corporation, Russell Pangborn: ""Re: Closed Generic Top-Level Domains (TLDs) Dear Dr. Crocker and Messrs. Chehadé and Chalaby: We are writing to express our concern, similar to concerns … [Read more...]
ICANN Opens Up The Comment Period on The New gTLD Registry Agreement
ICANN has just opened up the comment period on The New gTLD Registry Agreement. "The New gTLD Registry Agreement is the contractual document between successful New gTLD Applicants and ICANN, and will govern the rights and obligations of new gTLD registry operators". "ICANN proposes to revise the New gTLD Registry Agreement in connection with developments since the last posting of the … [Read more...]
NewgTLDSite.com Starts Petition Asking ICANN To Stop Closed Generic New gTLD’s From Being Awarded
Tom Gilles of NewgTLDSite.com just started an online petition to be sent to ICANN to stop closed generic strings from being awarded and is hoping to get 100,000 signatures. The petition is on change.org. Here is how the letter that Mr. Gilles wants to send to ICANN reads: ""To: The Board and Government Advisory Committee of ICANN I strongly urge ICANN to reject New Top Level Domain … [Read more...]
ICANN New gTLD Committee Not Sure How To Handle Closed Generic Applications
Its seems pretty clear that the New gTLD committee of ICANN doesn't know what they should do about what is fast becoming one of the biggest issues of the new gTLD program, applications for closed generic strings. The issue generic strings like .App and .Music which were applied for by companies like Amazon, which would not allow any third party registrations, but rather keep the entire generic … [Read more...]
.Shop Applicant Tells ICANN On String Similarity There are Only 56 Unique Generic Strings
A letter sent by one of the .Shop applicants to ICANN chats about what I see as the next big issue for the ICANN new gTLD process which is String Similarity. The letter was written by Jeffrey Smith, CEO Commercial Connect, an applicant for .Shop, who not only applied for the new gTLD .Shop but was an applicant for .Shop way back in 2000, we have edited the letter to keep it on point but you … [Read more...]
If You Get An Objection To Your String, You Have To Pay The Fees Upfront Too
If your are an applicant for a new gTLD and someone files a formal objection to your application, not only does the objector have to pay the fees, but the applicant for the new gTLD has to pay the fees as well. During a webinar held today entitled: New gTLD Objection & Dispute Resolution" it was made clear that not only does the party filing an objection have to pay the fees, but since its … [Read more...]