Transcript You Can Have Your Own Top Level Domain

You Can Have Your Own Top
Level Domain
“for a small fee….”
January 20, 2011
#732030
Background
• What is a Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD)?
www.google.com
www.uspatent.com
www.indiana .edu
www.uspto.gov
• How many exist?
– Initially 7 gTLDs (.com, .edu, .gov, .int, .mil, .net,
and .org) (1980)
– Later 273 two letter TLDs for countries(i.e. .us,
.fr) and others were added.
The Current State of Domain Names
• .com is the dominant gTLD
– Almost 100 million active listings (320 million total)
– Next closest is .net with 13 million active
– Remaining gTLDs account for < 20 million active
• Every .com domain having four characters or less has been
registered!
• As a consequence, new businesses are struggling to come up with
desirable .com domains for their website, e-mail addresses, etc.
• How would you like it is your email address was:
[email protected] ?
• The shorter the domain name, the easier it is for your audience to
remember it.
ICANN’s Dilema
What do you do if you run out of land to sell?
Simple. You just build more!
Building More Domain Name Real Estate
• In 2001-2003, 14 new
gTLDs were added.
• Currently, a total of 21
are active.
• Each gTLD has its own
complete namespace.
– www.namespace.com
– w/ potentially millions of
new domain names
Delays in the Process
• Previously, beginning in May 2011, a user was
to be able to apply for ownership of a gTLD of
their choice.
• Program has currently been delayed pending
resolution of lingering concerns.
• One of these critical concerns is how
trademark rights will be enforced and cybersquatting prevented.
Current Status
• At this time, the hope is that applications for
new gTLDs will begin around summer / fall
2011.
• Program will create a TLD Application System
(TAS) for handling applications and objections.
• Early estimates are that 300 – 1000 new
gTLDs would be registered within a few years.
The Application Process
Will be governed by Applicant Guidebook
The Application Process (cont.)
• Only corporations, organizations, or institutions may
apply (no individuals)
• Current estimated cost to own a TLD will be
$185,000 USD application fee (plus legal expenses)
– $5,000 deposit w/ initial request
– Balance due with full application
• Objection window is 5 ½ months and will be handled
by selected Dispute Resolution Service Providers
(DRSPs).
– Likely similar to UDRP process (w/ added costs)
• Estimated time to issuance of gTLD is 8-19 months.
Implications for Our Clients?
• Shift in the landscape of the Internet?
– the presence of new gTLDs may devalue “.com”
domains and require clients to consider acquiring
domains tied to their marks in other newly
established gTLDs.
• Policing the registration of new domain names
in these alternate gTLDs.
Who Will Be the First Customer?
• The adult entertainment industry has fought
with ICANN for years seeking to obtain:
– .xxx
– .sex
– .adult
• Entities already expressing interest:
– Canon Global (cameras)
– Berlin (city)
Other Potential Uses?
• .movie?
– The MPAA then controls the TLD and can sell space to
each new movie release
– No more www.name-themovie.com
• .facebook?
– www.joesmith.facebook instead of
www.facebook.com/joesmith
• .law?
– Firmname.law
The possibilities are endless………
Hypothetical
• Let’s say a company named US Film own
usfilm.com and decides to purchase the .usfilm
gTLD.
• One of the major touted advantages is that they
can now easily launch any new product or
service under their US Film house mark and
immediately own the domain name.
– If US Film launches a new “DSLR 500” camera,
it already has www.DSLR500.usfilm in its
existing namespace!
– However, using sub domains, it could have just
used its existing domain and made
www.usfilm.com/DSLR500
Hypothetical (cont.)
• The REAL advantage appears to be for those
who aren’t happy with their existing domain
name and/or don’t own their corresponding
.com domain.
• Essentially, if various industries adopt their
own gTLDs, this will have a lasting impact on
everything from search engines and marketing
to cybersquatting/typosquatting.
For More Information…
• A copy of the most
recent proposed gTLD
Applicant Guidebook is
available at:
http://www.icann.org/en/topics/ne
w-gtlds/draft-rfp-clean-12nov10en.pdf