Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Chinese registrants like .LOAN

Checking domain name registration volumes for the Real Estate industry, I noticed an increase of 179,933 new domain names within a one week period of time. For a registry...

THIS IS A LOT OF DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATIONS

...so I called Famous Four Media (dot Loan Limited), the Registry for the .LOAN new gTLD to ask the question and what was the reason of this. Here is the answer I received:
It has to do with the way .loan is perceived in China and it seems they are starting to love it. We have at least 2 big registrars in China that started selling insane numbers in .loan so that’s a fact now, no longer a guess.
Famous Four Media recently established a WFOE company (wholly foreign-owned enterprises) in China and obtained a government license to be able to sell its domain names. The Chinese market now seems to be part of any new gTLD development strategy to sell domain names.

What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. The .BOSTON new gTLD (is coming);
  2. HOT - Reminder: the .BUZZ auction is coming;
  3. Update - In which extensions should companies secure their domains?
  4. Involved in the consultancy side of a registry business?
  5. Google’s Open-Source TLD Registry Platform;
  6. New ICANN procedures for gTLD transfers (what you need to know);
  7. The .GOOG Sunrise Period ends soon (read more)
Domain name registration volumes: 
  • New gTLDs related to ALCOHOL; 
  • New gTLDs related to REAL ESTATE; 
  • New gTLDs related to SPORT.
Our reports are available here.

Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Registration volumes tell a lot (new G's)

The .NIKON new gTLD seems to be doing tests again. When you compare with the .CANON domain name extension, it shows that chances are higher that there is a project of using .NIKON domains rather than with CANON. The .LONDON TLD has lost more than 1,000 registrations recently, same for the .AMSTERDAM extension. The .BID and .LOAN new gTLDs from Famous Four Media are...WOW...have a look t the FINANCE new gTLD report.

What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. New .ART Domain Launches;
  2. NewG talk #14 & Beard.club (read the full story);
  3. Just delegated: the .RMIT new gTLD;
  4. FRENCH - L’indépendance de l’ICANN, une arme à multiples facettes:
    1. Etat statistique des nTLDs au samedi 26/11/16 (données publiées);
    2. Nouveaux TLDs : le Second Round en débat(s);
    3. Les nTLDs seraient-ils « morts » ?
    4. Des « generic-TLDs » aux « niche-TLDs »;
    5. Les « prototypes » des années 2000;
    6. Un difficile changement de paradigme;
    7. Des registrars aux revendeurs et des revendeurs aux titulaires;
    8. Gouvernance de l’Internet : alarmes aux lendemains des élections américaines;
    9. L’ICANN encore et toujours sous pression.
  5. HOT - New gTLDs are ranking on Google;
  6. What is a unsponsored gTLD?
  7. 19,000 .blog domains registered in first 24 hours;
  8. HOT - New gTLDs: Competition, Consumer Trust & Consumer Choice Review Interim Findings & Next steps;
  9. Nomulus for a TLD?
  10. ICA on the Record at ICANN 57 Hyderabad;
  11. The French corner:
    1. HOT - L’extension aux enchères, (lire ce brillant article) (in French);
    2. Vinci.group;
    3. Flash crash de Vinci en Bourse;
  12. Don't ignore the New generic Top-Level Domains;
  13. The .CYCLING new gTLD request;
  14. .Blog domains: 16,430 registered after GA;
  15. My first new TLD sale;
  16. Did You Register a .Blog Domain Name?
  17. How Can We Improve for ICANN 58?
Domain name registration volumes
  • New gTLDs related to the LAW; 
  • New gTLDs related to FINANCE; 
  • New gTLDs related to COMPANIES (newsletter); 
  • New gTLDs related to COLORS. 
Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

We are .BUSY this week

For a reason that I have a hard time to explain, the ".com" legacy Top-Level Domains is losing domain name registrations for the third week in a row. This does not happen often but "hey": new gTLDs are here.

I strongly suggest to subscribe to the new gTLDs Newsletter. The reason for this is that it is far easier for me to add information to it rather than posting to the new gTLD group on LinkedIn. The number of its subscribers has greatly increased these past weeks and I also have space available for new sponsors.

What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. After shaky start, .BLOG launches today;
  2. CentralNic hires Andy Churley as Marketing Director;
  3. Sunrise Periods ending soon for .BABY & .CAM new gTLDs;
  4. Universal Acceptance and the Current State of IDNs;
  5. NewG talk #13;
  6. New .CARS Automotive Domain Ready to Kick-off 2017 With 90+ Participating Dealers;
  7. A look at the top Blog related sales of all time;
  8. Dot-Movie’s Blockbuster Year;
  9. ICANN Used 'Junk Science' Firm to Justify New gTLDs;
  10. .BLOG registry explains they did what they did with reserved domains simply because they can!
  11. Neue Top Level Domain .BOX bringt manche Netze durcheinander;
  12. The .BOSTON new gTLD is coming;
  13. HOT - What really impacts SEO and what you can expect when it comes to new gTLDs;
  14. HOT - It’s the end of domain search (long but good read);
  15. Companies Battle For Digital Marketing Landscape ;
  16. Google purchases X.company for think tank;
  17. What are the pros and cons of a .CLICK TLD?
  18. Berlin to host next Domaining Europe conference in May;
  19. What is the common point between these 33 websites ?
  20. At Least 2 .BLOG Landrush Auctions Pass $5,000;
  21. Who is Chris Cowherd?
  22. "Please ICANN, create the .CYCLING new gTLD";
  23. HOT - A strange thing is happening to domains suspended in URS;
  24. HOT - 10 Simple Facts you Need to Know about Nomulus TLD Registry Platform;
  25. Promised auction for popular .blog domain canceled;
  26. What is your fav new gTLD?
  27. HOT - How Google Nomulus Works (backend registry);
  28. Registry Raked In Over $600,000 in Premium New gTLD Domain Sales;
  29. Radix releases data on premium domain names;
  30. Radix Shares Its Q3 Premium Domain Name Sales Report.
Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Which are the successful new gTLDs?

Shall we ever know the truth about what's really happened during round one of the ICANN new gTLD program: why some applicants just "dropped it", how much a registry really earns, which new gTLD is a real "hit" and which is not?

There is a pace where you ask your questions, and it is here. I recommend the reading of "Learnings from the last 3 Years".

What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. HOT - .BUZZ Top Level Domain Set For Auction On December 8, 2016;
  2. 3 new gTLDs were delegated:
    1. 15 November 2016: .RELIANCE
    2. 15 November 2016: .JIO
    3. 15 November 2016: .RIL
  3. .FUN extension acquisition and launch dates;
  4. .SHOP enters dangerous territory with SSL freebie;
  5. New gTLDs: Who wants to be a leader?
  6. New gTLDs: reconsider the company name;
  7. Government Advisors Flag New Domain Rules;
  8. Council of Europe Report DGI (2016)17 - .GAY TLD;
  9. Dot Brands: nouvelles extensions de nom de domaine de marques;
  10. HOT - TLD Business Insider;
  11. .FOOD goes live, and it’s a closed generic;
  12. ICANN active litigation status update;
  13. .MELBOURNE turns two!
  14. .NGO/.ONG Registry (also .ORG) to save millions;
  15. “Read my lips: new gTLDs are DEAD";
  16. In which new gTLDs should a company secure its domain names?
  17. Keuntungan Menggunakan TLD (Top Level Domain) Pada Blog;
  18. Kitchen Collective Launches on a .Club;
  19. Introducing Nomulus (again).
Domain name registration volumes
  • New gTLDs related to SPORT;
    (the .MOTO - just delegated - was added to the report
  • New gTLDs related to ALCOHOL; 
  • New gTLDs related to REAL ESTATE;
  • Singular VS Plural new gTLDs;
    (2 new gTLDs have entered the report and .WORK is doing better)
  • New gTLDs related to FRENCH; 
  • New gTLDs related to RELIGION.
Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Google is not selling any registry services

We initiated a discussion with the Google team in charge of developing this fantastic tool named Nomulus. Due to my poor English, I had to rephrase my question to make it understandable enough to receive an answer. And I received an answer.

The answer was straight: "Google is not selling any registry services".

We received the message and here is how we understand it at Jovenet Consulting:
  • Google is not selling any registry services "today" (I'll stop with this soon :-);
  • Google offers Nomulus because they want new backend registry service providers to host it on the Google Cloud Platform (this is the offer a we understand it today) and that is enough for Google;
  • Google does not want (yet?) to deal with questions such as: "hey Google, how can I create my domain name extension with you?" This is a very long question to answer and would require to follow-up with potential applicants. Unless we are wrong, Google does not do this and does not meet with such clients who would require meetings before investing so much money.
    Also, the new application process is unknown and we doubt that the ICANN will be able to provide, a strict timeline as when an application is submitted and when it is delegated: the kind of question a client wants to be answered before he pays;
  • Participating in "Round 1" of the ICANN new gTLD program has been a nightmare for many applicants, and "Round 2" should be far easier. Google does not yet see the potential of offering a key-in-hands solution to resellers of such an offer: Law firms, Registrars, future new gTLD applicants with a technical knowledge, new gTLD and domain name consultants, IT departments... Let's hope this changes.
What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. 6 new gTLDs were delegated;
  2. Brands owning their dot brand grow faster;
  3. .Blog domains had a bad landrush phase;
  4. Tips for Wembasters (new gTLDs inside);
  5. Are The New gTLD Domain Names Worth Your Money?
  6. .BRAND showcase;
  7. NewG talk #12: you need to pay attention to the Chinese market if you are a .club investor (read the full story)
Domain name registration volumes
  • New gTLDs related to COMPANIES; 
  • New gTLDs related to the LAW;
    (all LAW related new gTLD have a domain name registration increase this week)
  • New gTLDs related to the COLORS; 
  • New gTLDs related to FINANCE. 
Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Google answers questions about Nomulus

Nomulus is a backend registry tool made available by Google and for free. The Nomulus team kindly informed me about the place where to go for questions. I expect this discussion group to be able to answer technical questions but I believe it is going to be worth trying to ask questions on (a) potential coming offer(s).

Reminder: a backend registry is mandatory when it comes to applying for a new gTLD. The backend registry is the technical platform which manages daily operations related to the creation, renewal, registrars'payments, etc...for domain names. Nomulus comes as an alternative for coming .BRAND new gTLD applicants with few knowledge and Generic new gTLD applicants in round 2 of the ICANN new gTLD program.

Ask your questions here


What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. Why Some Brands Stayed Out of First Dot-Brand Auction;
  2. Fast thinker: founder of .XYZ Registry;
  3. 4 Career-Changing Benefits of a Personalized Domain;
  4. Rightside’s first webinar series;
  5. Domain Name Pick Up – 5 Mistakes To Avoid!
  6. Verisign and Afilias in open war over $135m .WEB
  7. CentralNic will ‘continue to benefit from recurring revenues;
  8. Interesting - “Zhi Bo” (Live Video Streaming) Is Growing;
  9. Good survey - New gTLDs in 10 years;
  10. What's in a Brand Name?
  11. 8 myths about new domain names;
  12. 5 Ways To Use Your .CLUB Domain (watch the video);
  13. Must read - GAC Hyderabad Communique;
  14. New gTLDs & ICANN: Adopted Board Resolution;
  15. .WEB new gTLD: "Afilias' Cynical Attempt";
  16. Verisign to .WEB losers: stop griping and carry on;
  17. The .Blog registry is not releasing ANY 1, 2 and 3 character domains;
  18. Free SSL certificate for .SHOP Registrants?
  19. The .Blog registry registered the best .blog domains for itself!
  20. “Shadow content policing” fears at ICANN 57;
  21. Google Does Not Promote Or Demote Based On Top Level Domain;
  22. History of AUC's failure to get the .AFRICA legitimately;
  23. Get ready for thousands of new two-letter domains.
Domain name registration volumes
  • Singular VS Plural New gTLDs; 
  • New gTLDs related to FRENCH applications; 
  • New gTLDs related to RELIGION; 
  • Generic new gTLDs; 
  • New gTLDs related to HEALTH (hot); 
  • New gTLDs related to CARS;
  • New gTLDs with a French connotation.
Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Cool new gTLD NEWS following ICANN meeting

The latest GAC communiqué was published and seems more interesting to read - in terms of new gTLDs NEWS - than the latest Adopted Board Resolutions from the Regular Meeting of the ICANN Board which offers more "Thank you to" than resolutions

When I have a look at these documents, I often wonder if ICANN knows that real interested parties (from the real world) then need to decrypt these documents. I wish there was an understandable report for end users and a report for insiders where they could auto congratulate each other without polluting the interesting information. Find all links to these contents in tonight's newsletter.


What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. New gTLDs and Universal Acceptance (UA);
  2. Using new generic TLDs for customer email/websites?
  3. Conference - Trademarks vs. Domain Names;
  4. Opportunities/challenges from a human rights perspective;
  5. New Top Level Domains Are Fools Gold;
  6. .Science tops the most abused TLD list for November 2016.
Domain name registration volumes
  • New gTLDs related to COMPANIES (hot); 
  • New gTLDs related to LAW; 
  • New gTLDs related to FINANCE (not hot at all);
  • New gTLDs related to COLORS;
  • New gTLDs related to SPORT;
  • New gTLDs related to ALCOHOL;
  • New gTLDs related to REAL ESTATE.
Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Backend registries still needed in Round two?

Not fast enough today :-)
I wasn't fast enough today to ask my question during the Registry Service Provider Certification conference at ICANN 57 (Hyderabad). As a non native English writer, I need to write down my questions before posting them because it does not look nice when a question comes with a mistake or a mistype (and when it is read as such by the entire audience). Unfortunately, I could post it but far too late and from a potential dotBrand future new gTLD applicant prospective, it is to me a very important question so here it is:

Google recently revealed "Nomulus", a backend registry tool to operate a Registry. Since Google Registry (Charleston Road Registry Inc.) is already technically certified by the ICANN since it uses Nomulus for its TLDs; will future users of Nomulus need to become certified as backend registries too?

I understand that such question might not please backend registry providers, but since Nomulus is already in use and hosted on Google's technical platform (Google Cloud Platform); why would future new gTLD applicants have to deal with the technical aspect of running a registry when it could be just a matter of choosing a provider...just like when registering a domain name?

I emailed my question to the ICANN.

New domain name registration volumes
The .食品 (food in Japanese) new gTLD increased its number of registrations from 1 to 13 in one week (see the Catering new gTLD report). The .NIKON dotBrand new gTLD goes from 1 to 17 domain names registered since last week (see the Photography new gTLD report). In the City new gTLD report, the .BARCELONA has 2,100+ more registrations.
Domain name registration volumes
  • New gTLDs related to CITIES; 
  • New gTLDs related to CATERING; 
  • New gTLDs related to PHOTOGRAPHY. 
Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. Verified Top-Level Domains Consortium;
  2. Balancing a robust defense with an exciting attack in the domain name world;
  3. High-Bid Auctions Deflate the .nyc TLD;
  4. The Extreme Power Of Generic Domain Names;
  5. Program Reviews & Policy Timeline (Projected);
  6. The new gTLD program introspective;
  7. Cooking Up The Perfect Domain Name;
  8. We don’t run Internet, we enable it: ICANN.
Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Next ICANN new gTLD Round: 2020 ?

There are discussions at ICANN on the subject at the moment and there will be more. A probably interesting one was the one from the GAC discussing the next steps following the ICANN bylaws changes. There should even be a more interesting one entitled "New gTLD Program Reviews" to take place this Saturday, November 5 between 13:45 and 14:45.

I downloaded the presentation and there is a slide - on page four - which tells a lot about what the date od "Round 2" might be. As usual, it is entitled "Program Reviews & Policy Timeline (Projected)", because no one, in the ICANN community, will ever take the risk to mention a date again :-)

It is important to know that a lot of interested parties in the new gTLD business want the second round of the ICANN new gTLD program to open as fast as possible but they are not the only ones: more and more Trademarks show signs that they want to submit an application too.
Some parties don't want of another round to happen for several reasons and one of them is that ".com has to remain kind". Another one is that...it takes time to install new domain names and flooding the market with even more domain name extension won't now help.

It also appears that the ICANN community wants Geographic domain name extensions and .BRAND new gTLD applicants to be able to submit an application as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it is not what the documentation says on page 4 of next Saturday's presentation because according to my understanding of this document, the earliest date that I read is not before 2020.

What you missed in our previous Newsletters:
  1. Should new gTLDs be first-come, first-served?
  2. .DOCTOR : 1,400 domains on day 1;
  3. Governments mull greater geo gTLD powers;
  4. Applications to ICANN for Community-based new gTLDs;
  5. The .BUZZ auction;
  6. Algorithm Red Flags Potentially Dangerous Domain Names at Time of Purchase;
  7. The .商店 (store) Sunrise Period ends soon;
  8. Percentage of Parked New gTLD;
  9. .blog Domains: Let the Landrush Begin;
  10. Playstation: not ready (New gTLDs Universal Acceptance);
  11. ICANN: Board Governance Committee Meeting;
  12. .Buzz top level domain name hits market for $3. 5 million+
  13. The .BABY Sunrise Period begins;
  14. The Strength of Top-Level Domains in UDRP Decisions;
  15. Want To Buy A New gTLD?
  16. Insights from ICANN 57, Hyderabad;
  17. ICANN57 Preview: What to Expect in Hyderabad;
  18. DomainWire Global TLD Report 2016/3
  19. .BASEBALL & .BASKETBALL
  20. Gear.club (download and Play)
  21. New gTLDs in which Companies should consider securing their domains.
Domain name registration volumes: 
  • Cool - Singular VS Plural new gTLDs; 
  • New gTLDs related to FRENCH applications; 
  • New gTLDs related to RELIGION (see the .FAITH new gTLD);
  • New gTLDs related to HEALTH (see the .DOCTOR new gTLD);
  • New gTLDs related to CARS (see the .VOLVO new gTLD);;
  • Cool - Generic new gTLDs (see the .XYZ new gTLD).
Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

Recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

The .BABY Sunrise Period begins

Today is day one of the .BABY new gTLD Sunrise Period:
.BABY is the trusted global online designation for everyone dedicated to the vitality and happy, healthy development of our babies.
SUNRISE PERIOD:
  • START: Wednesday, 2 November, 2016 - 16:00;
  • END: Friday, 2 December, 2016 - 16:00.
Limited Registrations:
  1. Mon, 5 December '16 to Mon, 3 April '17;
  2. Wed, 5 April '17 to Tue, 11 April '17.
What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. 6 Sunrise Periods start: .ファッション (fashion) - .書籍 (book) - .クラウド (cloud) - .食品 (food) - .家電 (consumer electronics) - .ストア (store).
  2. .CAM Sunrise Period Underway;
  3. The PREDATOR program;
  4. .Club domain name in the iTunes app store (read the full story);
  5. Reminder - Thursday, November 3 • 08:30 - 09:30: the GAC Geo Names WG will be working on its best practices for future rounds of new gTLDs document.
  6. Donuts: The Month in Review.

Domain name registration volumes
  • Super HOT: new gTLDs related to SPORT; 
  • New gTLDs related to REAL ESTATE; 
  • New gTLDs related to ALCOHOL. 
Since most new gTLDs have launched, reports will be updated on a monthly basis starting January 2017.

Note to our readers: starting January 2017, the content of our Newsletter will be sent by email only. It will not be made available online anymore on www.newsletter.domains.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

6 Sunrise Periods start today

Six new Sunrise Periods are starting today. The 6 new gTLDs concerned are:
  1. .ファッション (fashion);
  2. .書籍 (book);
  3. .クラウド (cloud);
  4. .食品 (food);
  5. .家電 (consumer electronics);
  6. .ストア (store).
An agent can be selected here to participate in the Sunrise Period.
What you missed in our previous Newsletter:
  1. 5 new gTLD were just delegated:
    1. The .NEWHOLLAND new gTLD
    2. .BASEBALL
    3. .CASEIH
    4. .CASE
    5. .IVECO
  2. How .CLUB's Colin Campbell Rebounded From a $100 Million Setback and Took a Lead Role in Reshaping the Web
  3. How .eco domain was won
  4. Good read - Where Are the World’s Largest Brands Registering?
  5. DNS-News.fr (New gTLDs in French)
  6. 87 sites dropped their .com for a new domain
  7. .WEB is ICANN's First Test of Accountability
  8. The GAC will discuss the Subsequent Rounds in new gTLDs
  9. Research Revealed on Authoritative Servers at the Second Level
  10. Listen to Verisign and XYZ duke it out in court
  11. Internet Globalization: Utilize Email for Non-English IDNs
  12. Comments on .NYC Auction Results
  13. Amazon is serious about the NewG
  14. School District Using a .Vegas Domain
  15. WTF is the dark web?
Update on new gTLDs' registration volumes:
  • New gTLDs related to the COMPANIES;
  • New gTLDs related to the LAW;
  • New gTLDs related to FINANCE;
  • New gTLDs related to COLORS.

.BRAND new gTLD Reports are updated once a month: CLICK HERE !