Managing IP Magazine > Archive > June 2012 > Internet IP: Get ready for 2,000 new gTLDs

Internet IP: Get ready for 2,000 new gTLDs



30 May 2012


It's the number everyone wants to know: how many new gTLDs will there be? While the figure will not be known for many months, Icann has revealed that there were 2,091 applications in the system when it was taken down on April 12, with a further 214 applications recorded.

The revelation came as part of Icann's regular updates while the TLD Application System was down. It was finally restored on May 22 and was set to remain open until May 30. The names of the strings applied for are likely to be revealed later this month, possibly at the Icann meeting in Prague.

During the down time, Icann corrected the technical fault that had allowed some applicants to see others' file names, and said that about 105 applicants had had their details compromised. It also contacted all applicants with information on whether their details were compromised.

Icann had previously said that if there were a large number of new gTLD applications, they would be dealt with in batches of 500. There is a complex set of criteria determining which applications will go in which batch. Trade mark owners will need to monitor the applications, and take defensive action where necessary. Icann plans to implement rights protection mechanisms but these are not all in place yet.

Speaking about the security breach, INTA Internet Committee chair Adam Scoville of RE/MAX said: "In terms of the overall competence of ICANN to function as a private sector organisation, this will be an incident that will not be easily forgotten." He added that Icann is also "far behind" with developing the Trademark Clearinghouse and the Unifrom Rapid Suspension System (URS): "That has a direct impact on when new gTLDs will launch."

Dot-eu names set to be revoked. CJEU Advocate General Trstenjak has said that IP firm Gevers and other firms should not have been able to register .eu domains for clients, as they do not qualify as licensees. She gave her opinion last month on two questions concerning the .eu domain name lensworld.eu, which Bureau Gevers had registered for US client Walsh Optical. The questions were referred by the Court of Appeal in Brussels.

Sint Maarten launches .sx. The .sx domain for the new country of Sint Maarten has been launched. Following a grandfather period for .an domains, a sunrise period runs from May 2 to July 4. There is a priority period for local residents from July 5 to September 4 and a landrush from September 5 to October 4. General availability opens on October 5.

Couvreurs Mont Blanc loses UDRP case. Couvreurs Mont Blanc failed to have an identical domain transferred to it in a recent UDRP case because it had insufficient rights to the mark. Despite the roofing company being incorporated in Canada and the domain – couvreursmontblanc.com – being identical, it did not submit sufficient evidence to establish common law rights prior to the registration of the domain name in November 2004.

South African domain plans unveiled. As more gTLD applicants put their cards on the table, UniForum has revealed that it has applied to own .capetown, .durban and .joburg. The .za registry operator is already applying for .africa, an application which the African Union supported in February this year.


Icann has selected Alain Pellet as the independent objector for the global top level domain (gTLD) selection program.

Icann's Board has decided to offer a full refund to any gTLD applicant that withdraws its application before the applied-for new strings are revealed.

Global bank Barclays succeeded in having 14 domains transferred in a recent WIPO UDRP case, but failed to convince a panel to transfer a domain referencing BarCap.

Nominet, which is the registry for .uk domains, has asked for submissions from the industry on improving its registrar agreement. The agreement, which Nominet has with over 3700 registrars, has been in place since 2007.

Icann has shortened its meeting in Prague, to be held during the week of June 24, with an open session on Thursday afternoon replacing the Friday public board meeting.

May 27 was the deadline for website operators to comply with the EU cookie law, under which they must give users the opportunity to opt out of receiving cookies. Otherwise, businesses face the risk of significant fines.

A seminar on new gTLDs will be held in Brussels on June 22, with the support of Managing IP. For more information on attending, contact ICC Belgium.


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