Launch of New Top Level Internet Domain Names

Launch of New Top Level Internet Domain Names
Press Release
LawDownUnder Ltd

Big wake up call for all business owners, politicians, communities, and bloggers. Hundreds of new domain name extensions are about to be released to the general public. This will change the Internet landscape drastically since it will significantly extend the domain name choices beyond current non-descriptive offerings, such as .COM, .ORG, or .NET.

Currently, there are more than 143,764,550 domain names registered ending with .COM, .ORG, .NET, and .INFO. The .COM top level domain is by far the most popular one (78% or 112,251,620 registrations). A greater variety of domain name extensions are desperately needed as new business owners find it increasingly difficult to secure short and memorable .COM domain names.

The new domain name extensions are set to give Internet users more choice in shaping their Internet identity. After all, the Internet is what sets businesses apart in this knowledge economy.

A plumber might want to register: www.wellington.PLUMBING, a gallery www.art.GALLERY, a bike store www.bespoke.BIKE, and a winery might be interested in registering www.plonk.ESTATE.

ICANN, the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, has launched the first wave of generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Trademark owners can register their trademarks with the ICANN Trademark Clearinghouse during a 30 day sunrise period. The sunrise period allows trademark owners to register corresponding domain names before registration is offered to the general public. Some domain registrars are already allowing users to pre-register their interest in a number of gTLDs.

After the 30 day sunrise period the registration of domains ending with for instance .CONSTRUCTION, .SHOES, or .TECHNOLOGY are open to the public.

The sunrise period for .BIKE, .PLUMBING, .CLOTHING, .SINGLES, .GURU, .VENTURES, and .HOLDINGS ends on 25 January 2014. From 29 January 2014 the new top level domains are available to the general public.

Relevant release dates can be accessed here.

Below is a list of the upcoming release date.

© Bianca Mueller, LL.M., LawDownUnder Ltd.

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