On 16 November 2000, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) selected the following new top-level domain (TLD) proposals for negotiations: JVTeam (.biz); Afilias (.info); Global Name Registry (.name); RegistryPro (.pro); MDMA (.museum); SITA (.aero); and NCBA (.coop).
Q: Which new Top Level Domain (TLD) labels were selected? A: .biz, .info, .name, .pro, .museum, ..aero, and .coop
Q: When will the new TLDs become operational? A: Probably during the second quarter of 2001. The ICANN staff plans to work through the end of the year to negotiate registry agreements with the selected applicants. The proposed schedule calls for completion of negotiations by December 31, 2000. The negotiated registry agreements must then be approved by the ICANN board of directors. Following that approval, the ICANN board will forward its recommendations to the U.S. Department of Commerce for implementation.
Q: Can I register a name in one of the new TLDs right now? A: No. It is not yet possible to register names in any of these new TLDs. Registration procedures have not yet been formalized. Registration will be done on a fair basis, without any special preferences for so-called "pre-registration" services. Please monitor the ICANN website for further developments.
Q: Can I "pre-register" names in the new TLDs? A: It is premature to "pre-register" domain names in the selected new TLDs. No company has been authorized to perform any such service, and no special preferences will be given to those who pay for such services. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a consumer alert warning about "scam artists" offering "pre-registration" services along these lines. Among other recommendations, the FTC advised consumers to protect themselves by "[a]voiding any domain name pre-registration service that asks for up-front fees, guarantees particular top level domain names or preferential treatment in the assignment of new top level domain names." Please refer to the FTC's Consumer Alert at <http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/domainalrt.htm> for additional information.
Q: Where can I find additional information about the selected proposals? A: The proposals are posted on the ICANN website at <http://www.icann.org/tlds/>. Please direct any inquiries to the registry operators or sponsoring organizations for the selected proposals: JVTeam, LLC (.biz) Afilias, LLC (.info) The Global Name Registry, Limited (.name) RegistryPro,Ltd. (.pro) Museum Domain Management Association (.museum) Société Internationale de
Télécommunications Aéronautiques (.aero) Cooperative League of the USA (.coop)
For more information, see ICANN's new TLD program page. |
