New gTLD

ICANN has released the list of proposed generic top-level domain names today. ICANN has to resolve duplicative claims and the new domains likely won’t be active until 2013. The new top-level domains would expand the current list including dot-com, dot-org with dot-law and dot-apple, among others.

Almost 2000 applicants applied for  the top level domains which included a $185,000 application fee.

Many are obvious claims by multinational companies (dot-Abbott by Abbott Laboratories and .Apple by Apple Inc.) but also ‘generic’ top-level domains such as dot-Mobile, which was applied for by three entities and dot-Pizza, with four applicants. There are 231 proposed domains with multiple applicants which will have to be resolved.