On 12 January 2012 the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) officially opened the application process for its New Generic Top-Level Domain programme (New gTLDs). This process will allow any organisation or a collection of organisations to apply for and oversee a domain name extension such as .[brand], .japan or .environment. Applicants have until 12 April 2012 to submit their applications.
Most businesses will not wish to apply for a New gTLD but this significant change in relation to domain names will affect any business that has a brand or a domain name. It is important that businesses are aware of the introduction of the New gTLDs and that they monitor the application process. This update and our previous alert, Launch of the new Generic Top-Level Domain Name, provides information about the process but for further information please contact Lianne Bulger or your usual contact in the intellectual property team.
