ICANN IN MOTION: Creating New Generic Top-Level Domains

On June 20, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) approved a new program for generic top-level domains (gTLD). The new gTLD Applicant Guidebook is available online at http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/comments-7-en.htm. Under this new program, new gTLDs are available for purchase by corporations, organizations, and institutions. Examples of such new gTLDs include branded gTLDS such as .Kaufman&Canoles, industry-related gTLDS such as .lawyer, and geographically specific names such as .Norfolk. Under the proposed new program, the applicable fees will be cost prohibitive for many smaller businesses as applicants will pay $185,000 for the registration fee and initial evaluation, with additional fees applied depending on any extended evaluation required and any objections and disputes which arise. —Kristan B. Burch