New TLD programme gets 100 registrants

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced on February 14 that 100 parties had successfully registered in the new generic top-level domain (TLD) system.

ICANN began accepting applications for new TLDs on January 12 and applications have to be completed by April 12. It expects to publish a list of applications, including the applied-for names and the names of applicants, in May.

The corporation launched the new TLD programme in June 2011 despite fierce opposition. The Coalition for Responsible Internet Domain Oversight (CRIDO), which comprises 87 business associations and companies, wrote to ICANN on January 6, asking it to delay the new TLD programme.

The first application round went ahead and ICANN has made it clear that a second new TLD application round will be launched in the future.

ICANN’s board of directors passed a resolution on February 9 to reaffirm its commitment to opening a second round of applications as quickly as possible.

“The important thing here is that the board has erased any doubt that there will be a second application window for new generic top-level domains,” said ICANN board chair Steve Crocker. “It’s not yet possible to set a definite date for the next application period, but that will be determined after the current window closes.”