萬國法律事務所

On 12 January 2012, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) began accepting applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). A company may use its brand name, and may even use words in non-Latin languages to apply for new gTLDs according to this new policy. In addition to the gTLDs currently used, which include by example, .com, .org, .net, .gov and .edu, there will be a variety of new gTLDs joining the world wide web. This is a dramatic change in the history of the internet.

However, governments or entities wishing to have their own new gTLD must act quickly, as according to ICANN, applicants may submit applications for new gTLDs from 12 January 2012 through the TLD Application System (TAS). Applicants will need to register in TAS, and 29 March 2012 will be the final day for registration, while 12 April 2012 will be the last day on which ICANN will accept applications. Following the application period, ICANN will review the applications received through a public evaluation process to identify any infringement issues.

Applicants for new gTLDs will be required to pay a US$ 185,000 evaluation fee and the owner of a new gTLD will be obligated to pay the ongoing registry operating costs. Moreover, applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial stability in order to keep the registry fully operational for at least three years even if the business plan does not achieve its objectives.