ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the body who regulate global domain names and registrants, has announced the new top-level domain name claims filed by companies the world over.
From .bbc to .samsung and .amex to .dad there have been over 1,930 requests for new top level domains in this first round of new net names to be released. 166 of those were alternatives to the Latin alphabet.
The BBC went for it’s .bbc domain where as Nominet, the .uk domain manager looks like it will secure .wales and .cymru. There were also some notable objections from companies like Coca-Cola and Kelloggs who signed a protest against the process. Samsung had also voiced concerns over the process but took part none the less.
The most prolific domain applicant was Google predictably who applied for over 100 of the new domains. Some of their applications include .dad .car .drive .docs . diy and .free. The big names of the internet have either invested massively or not at all. Amazon for example has applied for 76 names, Google for 101 and Microsoft 11. But there’s no applications from Facebook or Twitter at all.
ICANN developed the New generic Top-Level Domain Program to increase competition and choice by introducing new gTLDs into the Internet’s addressing system.
What is a gTLD?
It is an Internet domain name extension such as the familiar .com, .net, or .org. There are 280 ccTLDs but only 22 “generics” in the domain name system right now, but that is all about to change.
The new gTLD application window opened on 12 January 2012 and closed on 30 May 2012.
The Cost
All the applicants had to pay a $185,000 (£118,800) fee to take part in the application process. If they actually get any of the domains they apply for, the face a minimum of a $25,000 per year license fee to keep the domain running. This fee likely discouraged many organisations from taking part in the process, especially those public and governmental bodies. The BBC’s controller of R&D commented however…
This is an important extension of the BBC’s brand-protection policies… …In the future the use of .bbc domains might ensure content is even easier to access and navigate for our audiences, clearly identified as coming from the BBC, or more secure and scalable
You can find a complete list of the applications and applicants on ICANN’s website or watch the launch and announcement event on ICANN’s website here.