June 14, 2012
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has provided a full list of applicants for new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) names and what extensions they have applied for.
ICANN says 1,930 new gTLD applications were received. Of those, nearly half came from North American interests and 66 of the applications are geographic names.
The Australian application contenders are:
.AFL
.AMP
.ANZ
.AUSPOST
.BEST
.BOND
.BOOK
.CANCERRESEARCH
.CBA
.CEO
.COMMBANK
.COMPARE
.COURSES
.CPA
.FILM
.GLOBALX
.IINET
.ISELECT
.KRED
.LATROBE
.MELBOURNE
.MONASH
.MOVIE
.NAB
.NETBANK
.PHYSIO
.RMIT
.SALON
.SBS
.SEEK
.SELECT
.SEVEN
.STUDY
.SYDNEY
.TAB
.TENNIS
.UBANK
.WEBJET
.WOODSIDE
.YELLOWPAGES
Earlier this month, we mentioned a couple of the more colourful names proposed - .LOL and .SUCKS. The unveiling of the full list has revealed some other curious applications, such as .HOT and .OOO.
Some of the extensions have been proposed by multiple parties, including:
.TICKETS
.STORE
.SHOP
.PIZZA
.ONLINE
.NEWS
.MUSIC
.MOVIE
The most hotly contested extensions appear to be:
.LLC
.INC
.DESIGN
.HOME
.BOOK
.BLOG
.ART
Even if other parties haven't put their hand up for a particular extension, application for a gTLD does not guarantee success. A 60-day comment period now follows and formal objections can be lodged for a period of seven months. An absence of protest will not necessarily mean approval either as the the evaluation panels will have the final word.
ICANN says some new gTLDs will have fully completed the evaluation process and be ready for delegation in early 2013. Then it remains to be seen if consumers embrace the new non-branded extensions, or still gravitate towards the perceived safety of current gTLD's such as .com. For Australian consumers shopping online, some believe .com.au's high awareness and trust level will continue to rule the roost for the foreseeable future.
The full list of applicants and names applied for can be viewed here.
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