Overview of ICANN's New gTLD Program

To date, ICANN’s New gTLD Program (generic Top Level Domains) general provisions are:

• Companies can apply to purchase ANY word or phrase as a gTLD if:
  • They can afford the application fee ($185,000).
  • They can prove they can afford to maintain a gTLD registry (annual cost could range from $50,000 to over $1,000,000).
  • They can adequately respond to any objections that arise over their application for the name.
• Process pre-assignment:
  • All registrants can purchase any word(s) or phrase(s) as a gTLD.
  • All bids are secret and all applicants will not be disclosed until after the application process is over (after April 12, 2012).
  • Applications can ONLY be submitted during a four-month period running from January 2012 through April 2012. Once this period is closed, no new applications will be accepted, and ICANN has not revealed when, or even if, a new application period will open. Some speculate it could be 5-10 years off, if ever.
• gTLD Assignment Process:
  • After the application period, ICANN will disclose all valid entries.
  • Should two qualified companies request the same gTLD, they will have the chance to reach a mutual decision about who will receive it. If they do not reach a consensus an auction will commence.
  • In the case brand representatives applying for geographic destinations as gTLDs (e.g. an airline wants to buy major cities), those destinations’ governments have first right of refusal.