ICANN's board, in a majority decision, has approved plans to launch the long-awaited new generic top-level domain names (gTLDs). It first approved proposals for their introduction in June 2008 (see Legal update, ICANN approves proposals to expand generic top-level domain names), but the proposed expansion has been subject to delays due to various issues, including concerns regarding trade mark protection. The draft guidebook explaining how to apply for a new gTLD has been through seven revisions to incorporate over 1,000 comments from the public (see, for example, Legal update, ICANN launches consultation on latest draft of guidebook for new gTLD applicants). The plans, under which applicants will be able to self-select their domain names, could dramatically increase the number of gTLDs from the current 22 available and is arguably the most significant change to the domain-name system since .com was introduced 26 years ago. For example, applicants will be able to apply for community and geographical strings (such as .berlin), generic strings, like .brandname, and ones in non-Latin scripts. Applications for new gTLDs will be accepted from 12 January 2012 to 12 April 2012. It will cost $185,000 (£114,000) to apply for the suffixes and applicants will need to meet high technical standards and show a legitimate claim to the domain.

Sources: ICANN, press release, 20 June 2011; new gTLDs frequently-asked-questions, 20 June 2011.

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