ICANN will soon begin reviewing applications under the New gTLD program.
In the coming days, ICANN will begin reviewing applications for new top-level domains (submitted under the New gTLD program).
Experts call these changes to the internet's domain structure the most significant in decades. The New gTLD program could result in a large number of top-level domains appearing on the internet, in addition to generic domain names (.COM, .NET) and geographic domains.
Experts estimate that over a thousand new domain extensions could be opened under the New gTLD. As a reminder, the New gTLD program theoretically allows anyone to apply for a domain by paying the $185,000 registration fee. This means companies can obtain top-level domains with names that match their own, such as .apple. Commonly used names such as .music, .web, and .sport can also be registered.
At the end of March, the number of applicants was 839. On the eve of the preliminary registration deadline, this number approached 1,000. Each applicant can submit up to 50 domain applications. Applications were scheduled to close on April 12, with application data to be released on April 30. However, a glitch in the registration system slightly altered ICANN's plans.
Although many domain market participants support the New gTLD program, attitudes toward it within the internet community are quite mixed. Moreover, the New gTLD could raise a host of issues that are currently unaddressed. The most vocal opposition to the New gTLD has come from the US Commerce Office, whose representatives have emphasized that the New gTLD could easily infringe copyrights or trademarks.
Analysts note that the actual launch of the new gTLD registration program will be a lengthy process, and it's possible that the first new gTLDs will only appear in a few years. Furthermore, ICANN promises to closely review all applications to prevent attempts at copyright infringement.
Experts expect that once the New gTLD program fully launches, several hundred new domains will appear in the domain space each year.
To date, the world's largest brands—Canon, Hitachi, Motorola, Deloitte—as well as more than 50 of the world's largest cities, have already announced plans to participate in the New gTLD.
