ICANN has implemented a process by which companies can apply to run a TLD registry. These can be TLDs of any of the following categories:
- Regional TLDs, e.g..berlin, .bayern, .NYC oder .africa
- Brand TLDs, e.g. .bmw, SAP, oder .IBM
- Other generic TLDs, e.g. .tennis, hiv, shop, .web usw.
- ccIDNs such as .中信 or .сайт
The global TLD offering will be expanded from currently (pre-2013) 300 gTLDs and ccTLDs to ~ 1,800 TLDs. Many of these will be run as private (brand) name spaces or restrict registration to defined parties. The list of applicants was published on 13th June 2012. Many new TLD extensions have been entered into the internet's root directory already, and thousands of new 2nd-level domain names been registered. An example: www.outsourcing.domains
To secure trademark protected names as domains names under any of the new TLDs one should register their trademark with the Trademark Clearinghouse. ICANN also provides information on how to protect your trademarks under new gTLDs.
Please contact us for information on how to protect you names under the new gTLDs.