Domain Names

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New Generic Top Level Domains

Watch this space

In 2012 ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the body responsible for managing and coordinating the Internet's Domain Name System, opened the new gTLDs (generic Top Level Domains) programme to increase competition and consumer choice for new domain name extensions online.

Recent News: The ICANN New gTLD Prioritisation Draw has now taken place. You can read more about this on our Blog, or on the News articles below. See a full list of the extensions drawn by downloading this PDF.

guardian.co.uk "No-ho-ho – .christmas delayed till 2014, thanks to domain name lottery"

bbc.co.uk ".cymru beats .scot to early internet address name review"

Applications are currently in progress, you can view the ICANN application list. No new domains will be available for registration until at least spring 2013. Once available, you will be able to purchase a selection of relevant domains from names.co.uk in the future. From 2013, the choice of domain extensions that we will be able to offer for registration is likely to include opportunities like:

Example Extensions

Geographic: .london; .paris; .berlin; .wales; .sydney

Community: .eco; .music; .hotel; .wine; .game

Generic: .web; .shop; .fashion; .food; .love

New Branded Domains

For the first time ever, we will also see Brands with their own Domain Name extension. Many of the larger brands have applied, such as Google who are seeking extensions like .shop and .talk, and l'Oreal who have applied for .beauty. Not all new extensions will be available for registration and brand extensions are a good example of what is being referred to as 'closed extensions'.

More choice and opportunity

Today, there are over 300 domain name extensions available to choose from, but from 2013 we can expect that figure will increase to over 1,000. Some analysts argue that these new choices will increase domain competition which is a good for consumers whilst others argue it will achieve nothing other than to confuse the Internet space and create high brand protection costs for existing brand owners.

Stay Informed

Introducing this radical new approach to the domain world is a complicated process and ICANN has faced criticism about both the application and planned launch process.

With such a large volume of applications there are unsurprisingly many objections from across the globe as well as a lot of excitement.

Since 2011, we've been blogging about the new gTLD programme and following the many developments and setbacks ICANN have faced along the way.

If you want to find out more you can check out current and previous posts by visiting our Blog. Feel free to comment and ask questions and we'll do our best to provide an answer.

By setting up an RSS feed directly from our Blog you can access new gTLD and other industry related news.

To be kept informed on the progress of the new gTLDs, timelines on when they become available for launch from 2013 and what the registration requirements will be, you can also complete this form and we'll contact you periodically via our Domain Name Management newsletter with relevant information.

**Price quoted refers to a 1 year registration of a .eu domain name and applies to new purchases for the first billing period only. Please see http://www.names.co.uk/info/company/price-list for all other prices. Price does not apply to renewals and may be changed at any time. Standard terms and conditions of service apply.