Tuesday, May 31, 2016

The French "Cité du Vin" to launch with a ".global"

What a surprise to learn, this morning, that the French "Cité Du Vin" (opening today), has decided to use a domain name ending in ".global", instead of a ".vin" (or ".wine"). In fact, that decision was taken a long ago and it is possible that the delays caused by the launching of both ".wine" and ".vin" are part of that decision. Another possibility is that...people in charge of the communication for the Cité Du Vin just didn't know about ".wine" domain names.
News:
  1. The French city of wine goes for a ".global" domain name;
  2. "Not Bad" - The ".gdn" new gTLD has 129,000+ results in google for only 8 accredited Registrars;
  3. Article - New gTLDs: any true stories or just numbers?
  4. E-Book - The Evolution of Domain Names and Their Impacts on Trade Mark Rights;
  5. New domain name registration volumes:
    1. New gTLDs related to FINANCE;
      (the ".ally" new gTLD was added to the report)
    2. New gTLDs related to the LAW;
    3. New gTLDs related to COMPANIES (update sent in our Newsletter);
    4. New gTLDs related to COLORS (oups!).
  6. Announcement - Web domain ".broker" now available;
  7. New gTLDs for business - Pros and Cons:
    1. New gtld advantages for businesses;
    2. New gtld disadvantages for businesses.
  8. More coming, stay tuned until 7:00PM CET.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Monday, May 30, 2016

Can ".mail" new gTLD cohabit with ".email"?


Last week, I referred to Singular and Plural versions of domain names but the same could be applied to multilingual versions of new gTLDs (".vin" and ".wine" for example) or similar new gTLDs such as ".bing" and ".bingo" or ".cal" and ".call".
If I strongly believe that multilingual Top-Level Domains are a good fallout of the ICANN new gTLD program, I think that allowing singular AND plural versions of the same extension is already causing confusion and will cause much more in the future.
The same applies to similar TLDs: I just checked the status of the .MAIL new gTLD which is "on-hold". This means that it could possibly go live someday and have to cohabit with the ".email" (live TLD already).
Generally speaking, very few people worry about this today because the existing generation is starting to use new domain names. But what about in a few years? Will third parties want to use a ".email" domain name with such a high risk of confusion if ".mail" has gone live too? I doubt it. I even think that allowing ".mail" to go live is a risk for ".email" to be a success.

News:
  1. Article - Hard earned lessons from Twitter on branded domain extensions;
  2. How should start-ups switch to new gTLDs?
  3. French - 1000 nTLDs et 18 millions de noms déposés:
    1. De nouveaux records ;
    2. Etat statistique des nTLDs au samedi 28/05/16;
    3. Un « toilettage » des nTLDs en vue?
    4. 2e round : pas avant 2020;
    5. Le pricing des nTLD, pierre d’achoppement des stratégies.
  4. 6 new gTLDs were just delegated:
    1. ".mattel"
    2. ".netflix"
    3. ".ott"
    4. ".locker"
    5. ".ollo"
    6. ".dtv"
  5. ART - It seems that the .ART new gTLD is here!
  6. Article - Are High Annualized Domain Name Renewal Fees a Recipe for Failure?
  7. Discussion - Can New gTLD's Boost A Start-ups’ Digital Presence?
  8. ICANN - Reconfirming Board resolution on .HOTEL and .ECO IRP Declaration;
  9. New domain name registration volumes:
    1. New gTLDs related to CITIES;
    2. New gTLDs related to CATERING;
    3. New gTLDs related to PHOTOGRAPHY.
      (the ".nikon" now has 38 domains registered)
  10. ICANN56 will not have an opening ceremony;
  11. Article - .XYZ Planning “biggest sale the domain world has ever seen”;
  12. Sunrise Period - .Store Passes 500+ Sunrise Registrations With 5 Days to Go;
  13. More coming during the day for tonight's publication in the Newsletter.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Friday, May 27, 2016

The new gTLD info for Friday, May 27th

Today is the day to update the new gTLD report related to Cars where 3 new domain name extensions were added: the .TAXI - the .LIMO and the .TIRES new gTLDS. One Trademark was added to the report related to HEALTH.
  1. HOT - Details of investments from the .CLUB Registry: it cost money to deploy a Registry but it generates a lot of income too;
  2. New gTLDs related to HEALTH;
  3. Did you check if your ".gdn" new domain name was registered already?
  4. ROAR - New gTLDs related to CARS;
  5. Article - Land grab kicks off as new .game domain is introduced;
  6. SPONSORING: it is now possible to sponsor new gTLD reports;
  7. Article - Now You Can Have Your Own .Game Domain, Get The Details;
  8. Event - WHD.usa kicks off in Phoenix;
  9. 4 Reasons to Use Your Personal .ARCHI Domain Name;
  10. Article - You can now secure your very own .game domain.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Thursday, May 26, 2016

The new gTLD info for Thursday, May 26th

It seems that more and more Registrants have Faith: as seen in the new gTLD report - updated today - related to religions almost 3,000 more domain names were just registered recently. Some French .BRANDs must be doing tests with their domain names: some zone files are losing registrations.
  1. ArticleLe réveil des “.marque” français;
  2. Article - Why Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo did not apply for the .email new gTLD;
  3. INTA - The new gTLD string ‘.tube’ is currently in sunrise;
  4. Article - dot Citic, dot 中信 - an ambitious domain name project;
  5. New gTLDs related to RELIGION;
  6. New gTLDs related to FRENCH new gTLD application;
  7. Launching - Results of the .GAME new gTLD launching;
  8. The chinese .TRADEMARK new gTLD organized a dinner at INTA;
  9. Количество регистраций new gTLD доменов уже за пределами 18 млн;
  10. Multiple Registry profit triples with a revenue up to 70%;
  11. URS - audi.auto and audi.cars: "Complainant has demonstrated all three elements of the URS by a standard of clear and convincing evidence";
  12. CentralNic charging its larger registry customers well under $1 per name?
  13. Article - "How the gTLD project made it worse";
  14. Article - Verisign says new gTLDs put millions at risk;
  15. More coming during the day: subscribe.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

New gTLDs: Singular or Plural?

The more I deal with new gTLD registration figures, the more I see that singular and plural versions start to appear on reports. For this reason I have added this sign: "(s/p)" next to the Top-Level Domain which also offers a plural version of the extension. For example, in the REALESTATE new gTLD report, we have a ".property" and ".properties". We also have a ".loan" and a ".loans", a ".home" and ".homes". In the SPORT report, we have a ".game" and a ".games".

News
  1. Domain name registration volumes:
    1. New gTLDs related to SPORT (we added the .AFL new gTLD - Australian Football League);
    2. New gTLDs related to ALCOHOL;
    3. New gTLDs related to REAL ESTATE (we added the .PROGRESSIVE new gTLD - a Trademark). The ".realestate" domain name extension - in which we believe that it will be a success - enters the report.
  2. New gTLDs: a security risk for business computers?
  3. Two more Registrars accredited to the .GDN new gTLD;
  4. Milestone - New gTLD Program Reaches 1,000 Delegations.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The new gTLD info for Tuesday, May 24th

Today, I noticed interesting moves withing the financial industry (from a "new gTLD" point of view). In our new gTLD report related to FINANCE, we do not list generic Top-Level Domains only, we also list ".brand" new gTLD applicant domain name registration volumes. It means that some Trademarks applied for their own domain name extension: we also call them ".BRANDs" or "dotbrands". In our report, we have listed them with a little "®" sign so they are easy to identify.
In this week's report (see week 21):
  1. The .BLOOMBERG new gTLD has now 120 new domain name registrations (73 last week);
  2. The .FOREX has 84 (54 the two previous weeks before);
  3. The .PICTET has 76 (29 the previous week);
  4. The .CFA has now 52 (only 4 last week);
  5. The .NADEX has 51 (only 2 last week).
When a ".brand" new gTLD starts to register so many domain names, it is often the sign that the strategy is finalized and the Trademark really starts to deploy its domain names.

News
  1. Sunrise Period - The .MOI new gTLD Sunrise starts soon: Wednesday, 1 June, 2016;
  2. HOT - .Sports IRP Panelist: “odor of corruption and impropriety” with .AFRICA;
  3. Reports: 
    1. New gTLDs related to COMPANIES (sent in the Newsletter); 
    2. New gTLDs related to the LAW
    3. New gTLDs related to FINANCE; 
    4. New gTLDs related to COLORS.
  4. Article - The New .ENERGY Address;
  5. Updates: .BRAND stories was updated with more new gTLD stories; 
  6. Article - Retailers Take Notice: Will Customers .shop at Your .store?
  7. Three new gTLDs were just delegated: 
    1. .REALESTATE 
    2. .SHOP
    3. .AETNA
  8. Article - The largest new domain name owner is now...Chinese;
  9. Joke of the day - Icann.guru is for sale on Sedo
  10. Is the .BERLIN Registry open to German investors only?
  11. Report - New gTLD Utilization Report – May 2016;
  12. More coming during the day: subscribe (free).

Monday, May 23, 2016

The new gTLD info for Monday, May 23rd

This week-end, I was asked the authorization to post in the new gTLD group I moderate on LinkedIn. I received a kind email asking for permission (...) and this is not the first time that it happens.

Don't ask for permission: just do it

I personally never read group rules prior to posting in a LinkedIn group but I don't post content when it is not related to the group I subscribed to. In regard to the "new gTLD" group, I never block from posting: it is already hard enough to have people to participate! I only block bad domaining and content which is not related to new gTLDs so please, feel free to post: there are 2300 subscribers waiting for your new gTLD info.
  1. 200,000 .VIP domain name registrations in 5 days?
  2. Good read - What do the new top level domains mean for the automotive and tyre industry?
  3. Meet with .TRADEMARKS potential new gTLD applicants in Nantes (France);
  4. HOT - New gTLDs related to CITIES (ie: domain names ending in ."nyc", ".london", ".miami", etc);
  5. New gTLDs related to CATERING (ie: domains ending in ".catering", ".restaurant", ".recipes", etc);
  6. Conference - The Domain Startup Summit: 30 July 2016;
  7. New gTLDs related to PHOTOGRAPHY (ie: domains ending in ".photo", ".gallery", ".pics", etc);
  8. .AFRICA new gTLD: ZACR’s Motion is an attempt to re-litigate the same issue, opposes DCA Trust;
  9. Are you intimidated by ICANN?
  10. The .VIP Registry thanks Chinese investors for its impressive launching;
  11. More coming during the day.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Friday, May 20, 2016

The new gTLD info for Friday, May 20th 2016

On the up-to-date report for registration volumes related to Cars, we have noticed that two .BRAND new gTLDs (the .AUDI and .BENTLEY) are creating more domain names: a sign that something is coming?
  1. New gTLD reports:
    1. New gTLDs related to CARS;
    2. New gTLDs related to HEALTH
  2. Retailers Take Notice: Will Customers .shop at Your .store?
  3. groupe.schmidt is a new dot brand corporate website
  4. SpamHaus now publishing better TLD abuse data
  5. 17 Percent of Domains on Domain Auction Sites Have Link Spam Problems.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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20+ Photography Related TLDs

A few days ago, Canon announced its move to a new domain name using its ".canon" extension, but did you know that there is a .NIKON new gTLD too? While the photography industry strengthens its presence online with these two major trademarks launching their dedicated top-level domains, there are a lot more generic extensions in the world of photography:
  1. Branded New TLDs in Photography;
  2. Generic New TLDs in Photography;
  3. Registration Volumes.
Read the complete article on CircleID.

Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Thursday, May 19, 2016

The new gTLD info for Thursday, May 19th

Studying new domain name registration volumes is becoming more interesting: if it allows to see which Registry clearly cheats greatly improves its registration figures, it now allows to see which .BRAND new gTLD is deploying its projects with personalized domain name. This week, French new gTLD applicants like Arte (".arte"), Club Med (".clubmed"), Maif (".maif"), Sanofi (".sanofi") and Weber (".weber") are clearly working on something. I will come back on this.
  1. "Splendid" - .Canon, .Nikon and the Other Twenty Plus Photography-Related TLDs;
  2. Another Registrar becomes accredited to the .GDN new gTLD;
  3. Infographic - Top Level Domains Explained;
  4. Reminder: the NDD.camp takes place in Paris (16th of June);
  5. More strings were delegated since May the 12th:
    1. HKT
    2. GUARDIAN
    3. 嘉里
    4. BLOG
    5. DOT
  6. New gTLD reports:
    1. New gTLDs related to RELIGION (just updated);
      (the .WEB and .WEDDING new gTLDs were added to the report)
    2. New gTLDs related to FRENCH new gTLD applications (just updated);
  7. .AFRICA new gTLD - Irrespective of Error, Serious Question on Merits & Balance of Harm weighs in DCA’s Favor;
  8. 100,000 domain names registered already for .VIP;
  9. 30,000 .VIP Premium domains sold;
  10. More coming during the day (subscribe to receive the NEWS by email).
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The added dimension of new gTLDs (must-read)

This is an article posted on IPPro with a focus on the added dimension of new gTLDs.
Titles of the article will give an overview of its content:
  • Two sides of the same coin;
  • Tactical versus strategic;
  • Effect on loss;
  • The added dimension of new gTLDs;
  • The lack of an integrated strategy;
  • Is now the time for a truly integrated approach?
Read the complete article here.

Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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The new gTLD info for Wednesday, May 18th

We talk a lot about the .CANON new gTLD yesterday but did you know that there is a .NIKON new gTLD? There was a .OLYMPUS new gTLD application submitted to the ICANN too but it was withdrawn. The photography business is well represented in terms of new domain name extensions.
  1. Unlocking the potential of new Top-Level Domains;
  2. Sponsoring - You can now sponsor the new gTLD reports on Jovenet Consulting;
  3. Back-End- CIRA announces its back-end Registry offer;
  4. Recording - The .INSURANCE webinar;
  5. Coming: the .NIKON new gTLD;
  6. The .TOP Registry becomes the 6th most registered domain name extension;
  7. Branding : You dictate a domain’s worth, not the market;
  8. New gTLD reports:
    1. New gTLDs related to SPORT;
    2. New gTLDs related to ALCOHOL;
      (the ".club" new gTLD was added to the report)
    3. New gTLDs related to REAL ESTATE (new).
  9. Back-end Registry starts its promotion for round 2 of the ICANN new gTLD program;
  10. Conferences - 2 domain name conferences in China this summer;
  11. Record - the .VIP just launched and breaks records.
  12. More coming during the day.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

The new gTLD info for Tuesday, May 17th

Today the info is the Canon .BRAND new gTLD which is introducing a new URL for Canon’s global site: global.canon. When I read this, I tell myself: "finally, here we are" since Canon was the first Trademark to reveal its .BRAND new gTLD project in 2010. By he way, did you know that there is a .GLOBAL new gTLD too? When doing such an announcement, better check for your Trademark in the extension of your second level domain. Please, don't have a look at canon.global. Did you know that there is a .NIKON new gTLD too?
Another information: the .GDN new gTLD has more French Accredited Registrar to join soon: check the growing list here.
  1. .BRANDs - the .CANON new gTLD moves to domains ending in ".canon";
  2. The weekly French new gTLD report by Nameshield;
  3. Case studies - 3 more new gTLDs case studies published by the ICANN;
  4. China’s Internet Domain Name Measures & the Digital Economy;
  5. Sunrises ending soon: the .MOTORCYCLES and .STORE new gTLDs (5 June, 2016);
  6. The IDN of ".com" and ".net" to launch in Korea (.닷컴 and .닷넷 new gTLDs);
  7. HOT - New gTLDs related to Companies (report);
    (just added to the report: the .商标 (".trademark" new gTLd in Chinese)
  8. New gTLDs related to the Law (report);
  9. New gTLDs related to Finance (report);
  10. Coming next week: new gTLDs related to Colors;
  11. The .VIP new gTLD enters general availability;
  12. Interesting posts on use of ".brand" domain names: why pay so much for so few personalized domain names?
  13. In French: l"influence des nouvelles extensions sur le SEO";
  14. Premium Names - 72,000 names generate $9 million in annual recurring revenue;
  15. More coming during the day.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Monday, May 16, 2016

The new gTLD info for Monday, May 16th

A lot of interesting NEWS on this Monday (even if very few people are working in Europe today). I stopped by the Inbound Marketing platform for Top Level Domains and I really need to have this explained because I noticed that 5 Registries have applied to it already.
  1. Pop.swatch : the .BRAND story;
  2. Interesting - The TLD platform: Inbound Marketing for Top Level Domains;
  3. The lucky back-end Registry to run .BLOG is Nominet;
  4. Verisign (.COM Registry) settles one of its lawsuits against the .XYZ Registry;
  5. The .GROUP and .SALON Sunrise Periods are ending;
  6. Multiple Registry just acquired .SHOPPING and .JETZT new gTLDs;
  7. A major Registrar just finalized its accreditation to .GDN;
  8. The new gTLD review from Domain Mondo  (.BLOG/.AMAZON and .AFRICA new gTLDs);
  9. 250.000 ".blog" domain names in 2016?
  10. New gTLD reports:
    1. New gTLDs related to Cities;
    2. New gTLDs related to Photography;
      (Two trademarks: the ".yodobashi" and ".goldpoint" new gTLDs were added, as well as the generic ".club" new gTLD: this due to the important number of photography clubs)
    3. New gTLDs related to Catering.
      (the ".pizza" new gTLD was added)
  11. Landrush for .コム new gTLD has started (".com" in Japanese);
  12. Can we assess who is leading the new dot brand gTLD?
  13. This post is updated during the day: all NEWS are sent at night in the Newsletter.
    Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Friday, May 13, 2016

The new gTLD info for Friday, May 13th

It is impressive how many car trademarks (ie ".volkswagen" - ".seat" - ".bmw", etc...) applied for their own domain name extension. A good way to keep an eye on their development is to check their domain name registration volumes regularly. To do so,we have decided to update a new gTLD report related to "cars". This weekly report lists generic domain name extensions related to the automobile (ie: ".car" new gTLD) but it lists ".brand" new gTLD applications too (ie: ".nissan).
  1. Interesting - Wordpress just acquired the .BLOG new gTLD (many covers);
  2. Another cover of Richard Li, owner of the ".RICHARDLI" new gTLD;
  3. Reports:
    1. We added ".yachts" - ".boats" and ".motorcycles" to the SPORT new gTLD report;
    2. We launched two new reports:
      1. New gTLDs related to RELIGION (updated each Thursday);
      2. HOT - New gTLDs related to CARS (updated each Friday);
      3. New gTLDs related to HEALTH (updated each Friday).
  4. Another "Multiple Registry" signed an agreement with the signed an agreement with the Motion Picture Association of America;
  5. More coming.
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Thursday, May 12, 2016

The new gTLD info for Thursday, May 12th

I surfed a bit this morning and went through the major Trademarks who registered their ".gdn" domain name. There are many already:
  1. Facebook
  2. Instagram
  3. Mark Monitor
  4. Periscope
  5. Twitter
  6. Wordpress
  7. Microsoft
  8. Oculus Rift
  9. Amazon
  10. Citibank
  11. ...
Some of them does not appear in that list. Did you notice which? To my understanding, this is one of the reasons why major Trademarks should pay attention to this domain name extension. Domain names ending in ".gdn" are for investors, not Trademarks, but this does not mean that it should be neglected.

News
  1. The .RICHARDLI new gTLD is about to launch: do you know who Richard Li is?
  2. Weekly Report - New gTLDs related to FRENCH new gTLD applications;
  3. Google plans to ban Payday Loan Ads: do you own ".LOAN" domain names?
  4. HIT - .CLOUD & .CLUB domain names are a hit for resellers (out of a total of 500 new gTLDs);
  5. HOT - "Sport et Noms de domaine" (in French): des incontournables qui prennent position;
  6. The .HOTEL Registry changes hands (well...one of the applications);
  7. Cumulative premium name sales for .CLUB = $3,841,271.03;
  8. SEO - Does Moving to a New gTLD Domain Name Help Rankings?
  9. French - "Pourquoi j’ai osé adopter le .wine pour mon vignoble";
  10. .BRANDs - Brand TLDs: five potential benefits;
  11. Just added - The new gTLD report related to Religion;
  12. As usual, there is more coming during the day before the publication of the Newsletter.

Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Wednesday, May 11, 2016

The new gTLD info for Wednesday, May 11th

We are completing our reports and adding .BRAND domain name extensions. For example, our report related to FINANCE new domain name registration volumes has been completed with Banks who acquired their own domain name extension. These .BRAND can be identified with a "®" sign next to them.
  1. Article - ".GDN" domain names: the next “.COM”?
  2. Interesting - Looking Back on the First Round of New gTLD Applications: Implications for Trademarks and Freedom of Expression;
  3. Specialized Domain Names: The Secret Weapon for Boosting Sales?
  4. New gTLD reports (weekly updates):
    1. New generic Top-Level Domains related to SPORT;
      (the .GAME new gTLD was added to the report)
    2. New generic Top-Level Domains related to ALCOHOL.
      (the .REHAB new gTLD was added to the report)
  5. Must read - Report on active Brand Top-Level Domains;
  6. There are now 1,300 new gTLDs;
  7. Domain name "s.club" was sold for $38,000 !
  8. Multiple Registry predicts $75m new gTLD revenues;
  9. More coming by the end of the day (newsletter sent at 8PM CET).
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

“.GDN” domain names: the next “.COM”?

There are domain name extensions and...generic domain name extensions: the old ones and the new ones. What I call “generic” is a word, used as the extension of the domain name, and which does not offer the very meaning of a highly targeted keyword such as “club” - “physio” or “webcam” but something more “global”.
A list of Ten:
There are many generic, old and new, domain name extensions. The following is an extract of these extensions with the pluses and the minuses of what they can offer to Registrants interested in acquiring their domain names. I listed 10 of them:
  1. .GDN : it is short, ultra cheap and “gdn” stands for “Global Domain Name”. Many domain names are available for registration. The only minus that I can see is that it is a recent domain name extension and Registrars are still getting accredited.
  2. .GLOBAL : it means “global” so it truly is a generic domain name extension but with 6 letters. It is longish; expensive too...
  3. .ONLINE : I understand it as implying “on internet” but I find it long and it is more expensive than .WEBSITE...and a lot more than .GDN
  4. .WEB : this domain name extension is still a pending auction. The auction is scheduled to begin on July 27th 2016. It is short and generic and I don’t know yet how much it will cost. The major problem that I can see with .WEB is that it is in direct competition with .WEBS and .WEBSITE (and maybe .SITE too). This is going to be very confusing in the coming years with so many similar strings. It could also become risky to start a .WEB website without taking into account all the other similar domain name extensions.
  5. .WEBS : It is unclear yet wether this extension will see the day but the ICANN has listed it in the same auction as .WEB.
  6. .SITE : this extension is short and not so expensive but again...what will it become in 10 years? When .WEB + .WEBSITE + SITE + .WEBS are active with hundreds of live websites: won’t it be confusing to find different website contents with exactly the same domain names but with a similar domain name extension?
  7. .WEBSITE : it is easy to remember but...it is as long as two other generic domain name extensions combined: .WEB and .SITE. Will you buy a “.website” domain name and take the risk not to register the same “.web” and “.site” (and “.webs) domain names?
  8. .XYZ : it is short and cheap but we wonder if it is generic enough. What does “XYZ” stand for?
  9. .COM : it is already well established and short. Even if it is a little more expensive than .GDN, we can say that it is cheap but it is definitely a nightmare to find a generic domain name available (ie: www.plane.com).
  10. .NET : it is also already well established but lives in the shadow of “.com” domain names.
Focussing on .GDN domain names
There are several reasons why I believe that “.gdn” domain names could be of interest for Trademark owners and domain name investors. Here is why:

They are cheap
“.gdn” domain names are very cheap; they are the cheapest I could find on the market at the moment. I just bought one for less than $3. Some of the generic domain names listed above can be up to 10 times the price of a “.gdn” domain names and that makes quite a difference when investing. It becomes also affordable for a Trademark to secure its assets in such an extension, even if it won’t use the domains.

Many domain names are available
The registry has few Registrars accredited but, according to it, many more are on the way. According to nTLDStats.com, there are 16,200 domain names registered; that leaves plenty of space for new Registrants willing to register a generic domain name: did you try that city or animal name that was not available in the “.com” extension?

No confusion: “GDN” means something
The interesting thing about “.gdn” is that it means something and the message is clear: it is a generic domain name extension. “GDN” stands for “Global Domain Name”. By the way; how many times did we wonder what “com “ meant?

Another major positive point when dealing with .GDN is that there is no other new similar generic domain name extension: the problem of many of the extensions listed above, when they are not too expensive to buy and to renew, is that they can look very similar. I can hardly imagine investing in a “.website” domain name and missing the same domain ending in “.web”.

And what happens when you are not familiar with domain names: what happens when you launch a website in an extension...to find out that someone (or a cybersquatter) comes out to you with the exactly the same second level domain...with a very similar extension?

For investors only?
All the key elements are there: the price, the availability, almost no Premium domains and...the fact that they are still exceptions. Investors like “.com” domains because they are old and many times - when they are not just parked for cross linking or pay-per-click - that makes them valuable. I believe in niche markets and many new gTLDs offer perspective for investors; in terms of generic domain name extensions, I believe the .GDN new gTLD has a potential.

Funny: the city where I live is still available for registration.

The new gTLD info for Tuesday, May 10th

A multiple Registry is launching new domain name extensions related to Finance so we have decided to create a report for these Top-Level Domains. Some very specific industries and businesses are represented in the ICANN new gTLD program: subjects like "the Law", "Real Estate, Religion"... We will be adding more new gTLD reports to Jovenet Consulting soon.
  1. Sunrise - the .AUTOS Sunrise Period ends soon
  2. Happening tomorrow: meet with .TRADEMARKS in Paris
  3. .Club and Radix domains get top billing at TechCrunch Disrupt NY Hackathon; 
  4. ICANN takes away 9 African new gTLD applications;
  5. Article - Brand Your Music With An Innovative Domain Name;
  6. 1 and 2 Character Domains available for financial TLDs; 
  7. Article - ".store" - ".vip" and ".email" new domain names hit by squatters; 
  8. Reports (weekly update): 
    1. New gTLDs related to Companies (were added to the report the .WHOSWHO and .CEO new gTLDs); 
    2. New gTLDs related to the Law (new); 
    3. New gTLDs related to Finance (new); 
  9. Case Study - The .WEIR new gTLD;
  10. A .CARS cybersquatter is about to learn an expensive lesson;
  11. Joke of the day - "Celebrating Europeans' Role in the Evolution of the Internet"!
  12. Changing the Keys to the Domain Name System (DNS) Root Zone;
  13. The judge "screwed up" on .AFRICA new gTLD  lawsuit;
  14. More coming during the day.

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Monday, May 9, 2016

The new gTLD info for Monday, May 9th

The .CLUB Registry turned two years old this week end and if registration figures are there: what about...last year ;-).


News
  1. The weekly French new gTLD report by Nameshield;
  2. The .DOCTOR new gTLD: contention resolution status is now resolved;
  3. Updated reports:
    1. New gTLDs related to CITIES;
    2. New gTLDs related to PHOTOGRAPHY;
    3. New gTLDs related to CATERING;
  4. The .INSURANCE Sunrise begins;
  5. Congratulations - The .CLUB Registry turns 2 with 770,000 domain names registered;
  6. ICANN to terminate new gTLD applications!
  7. Event - The French NDD.camp is coming: French domain investors are meeting in June the 16th.
  8. ICANN and new gTLDs: another review of the past week and look ahead;
  9. French: Louis Pouzin is able to create a (better) version 2 of the Internet;
  10. More coming during the day.
Spam?
We were informed that some subscribers receive the new gTLD Newsletter with a "spam" in the object field. The tool that we use (MailChimp) does not allow to spam and when this happens, users of this tool are just blocked from using it. Also, all subscribers to the Newsletter have to confirm their subscription so...we just don't and can't do SPAM and by the way: why would we? I dig to find out why and I found this link as a possible answer. But again, I never received any complaint so we will change the subject in the object field of emails sent and use the domain name newsletter.domains to send emails.

Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

The .INSURANCE Sunrise Period starts

The .INSURANCE Sunrise Period is beginning today and I see no equivalent: I mean by this that I see no competitor around (unless there is one in another language). There is a French TLD, the ".mutuelle" which is also a kind of insurance but not as generic and with a different meaning.

WHAT:
".INSURANCE is a trusted, verified, more secure and easily identifiable location on the Internet for the global insurance community and the customers it serves."

WHEN:
  • SUNRISE PERIOD START: Monday, 9 May, 2016 - 12:00;
  • SUNRISE PERIOD END: Wednesday, 8 June, 2016 - 12:00.

WHERE:
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Friday, May 6, 2016

The new gTLD info for Friday, May 6th

You probably did not find how search for .TRADEMARKS new gTLD application in the official search engine provided by the ICANN. There is a reason for this: it is just because the filter does not allow to do that. I sent an email to ICANN in this regard and - as it is often the case - they answered the next day.

There is an updated list but it is a very long one with 525 entries and I wonder if I will have the time to update its registration volumes once a week on the Jovenet Consulting reports section. Registration volumes are interesting when they grow or decrease: the problem with .BRAND is that very few use large number of domain names so I am not sure about the interest here.

News
  1. Cool - The list of Trademarks to have applied for their own domain name extension;
  2. The .BANK Mission to Create a Safer Online Space;
  3. Chinese investor's have a preference for short, numeric names;
  4. Bookmarks - Registries.tel lists all links to new gTLDs;
  5. Coming: the .CAM new gTLD;
  6. Just added - The .EAT and .CITYEATS new gTLDs were added to the CATERING new gTLD report;
  7. Long - This is the longest article about new gTLDs that I have ever read;
  8. Added too - The .WEBCAM new gTLD was added to the PHOTOGRAPHY new gTLD report;
  9. More coming during the day.
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https://twitter.com/nameshield
The 20 years old Corporate and Retail Registrar.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

The new gTLD info for Thursday, May 5th

I am considering adding a special report related to Trademarks new domain name registration volumes, this to keep an eye on which .BRAND truly uses its new domain names. On Tuesday the 26 of May, we noticed that the .MMA new gTLD had registered more than 1,700 new domain names and the person in charge was kind to answer our questions. We expect such strategies to happen more and more. This report will help follow .BRAND new gTLDs deployment projects.
  1. Weekly Updates - Several new reports have been added to the Report section of Jovenet Consulting:
    1. New gTLDs related to COMPANIES;
    2. New gTLDs related to ALCOHOL
      (not sure this one is necessary but it is a fun one);
    3. Should soon be added:
      1. New gTLDs related to FINANCE;
      2. New gTLDs related to HEALTH;
      3. New gTLDs related to the LAW.
  2. French - Les nouveaux challenges des titulaires de .MARQUE;
  3. Patent - Is this the CMS (Content Management System) all multiple domain name owners have been waiting for?
  4. 2020 - Is the next probable date for the next Round (also called "Round 2") of the ICANN new gTLD program;
  5. Report: new gTLDs relate to FRENCH new gTLD applications;
  6. Ending tomorrow: the .HOMES Sunrise Period;
  7. More coming during the day.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

The new gTLD info for Wednesday, May 4th

Interesting chat with the .GDN Registry yesterday and a surprise coming by the end of the year. I noticed that many Registrars are passing the test to become accredited to selling ".gdn" domain names. Chatting with a domainer, I was explained that there are competitors to ".gdn" domains and they are: .XYZ - .COM (of course) and .TOP. These 3 registries sell a lot of domain names have a lot of domain name registrations but the 3 of them have a specific meaning: the "xyz" term is also a way to say "and bla, bla, bla" and "top" means "on top". The "com" also has a meaning but it is hiding somewhere on the Verisign website and I am happy if someone tells me what it exactly means. On the other hand "GDN" stands for "Global Domain Name": a clear competitor to... ".com", isn't it?

News for the day
  1. Report - New gTLDs related to SPORT;
  2. Article - Unlocking the potential of new Top Level Domains;
  3. Meet - Registry .CLUB is on the Road Again: let's meet!
  4. New .BRAND examples of use: the .SWATCH and .OMEGA new gTLDs;
  5. 6 new gTLDs were just delegated (= are coming soon);
  6. Lessons Learned - The ICANN New gTLD Program Reviews;
  7. Escrow - TWNIC has been approved by ICANN to provide data escrow services to new gTLD Registries;
  8. For info - Just added to the COMPANIES new gTLD report: the .WHOSWHO Top-Level Domain.
  9. Donuts makes weird investment in startup;
  10. More coming by the end of the day.
https://www.nameshield.net/public/?page=les_chiffres_des_extensions_internet_francophones

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

The new gTLD info for Tuesday, May 3rd

I have noticed a serious interest in "new gTLD reports". Therefore, I have added a few more. I also automated a certain number of things so these reports are easier to read and all look the same. They will be sent in the Newsletter too.
  1. Report - New gTLDs related to Companies (weekly update);
  2. Some of the top players in finance are changing the Internet as we know it: here is how;
  3. Conflict of interest - Update on .SPORT new gTLD application;
  4. Just added - 3 Trademarks were added to the Photography new gTLD report;
  5. Patent - Card interface for managing domain name projects;
  6. Innovation - Multiple Registry to invest in a geofencing company;
  7. ICANN is sued by a new gTLD applicant (guess who);
  8. Impossible to Appraise New gTLD Domain Names;
  9. Must watch video (until the end if you can): "don't drop it when you want to buy a domain name to a third party";
  10. In French - "des marques comme Intel, Nike, Target et Netflix pourraient perdre leur nouvelle extension Internet";
  11. Reminder: How Financial Services Industry Can Protect Itself Online (Free Webinar);
  12. New gTLD Backend Registry hits 4 million new domain names;
  13. More coming by the end of the day.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Monday, May 2, 2016

The new gTLD info for Monday, May 2nd

I just registered my first ".gdn" domain name. For the moment, I will use it as a redirection to point to my contact page for Jovenet Consulting. I want to try this domain name extension because "Jovenet" is Trademarked by myself and I believe that a short 3 letters domain name extension offers two options:
  1. The possibility to use a domain name extension which could come in competition with ".com" domain names since ".gdn" stands for "Global Domain Name" and it is as short as ".com" and...cheaper.
  2. Lower the risk of infringement: I don't want someone to register my trademark using a generic Top-Level Domain: ".gdn" clearly is the equivalent to ".com" and there are many - BUT MANY - domain names still available to register.
News:
  1. Ending soon: the .PROMO Sunrise Period;
  2. Article - ICANN in a strop that major Trademarks aren't using their .BRAND;
  3. Multistakeholder Policy Development and new gTLDs;
  4. Acquisition - A "Multiple Registry" just acquired the .GAME new gTLD;
  5. Half of the ownership of all registered new domains belong to Chinese investors;
  6. Reports:
    1. New gTLDs related to Catering;
    2. New gTLDs related to "French" (by Nameshield);
    3. New gTLDs related to Photography;
    4. New gTLDs related to Cities.
    5. (Coming: new gTLDs related to Trademarks).
  7. Hot - .GAME for $300 or .GAMES for $12?
  8. In French - DNS News n°216:
    1. Etat statistique des nTLDs;
    2. Bulle spéculative;
    3. Un nom de domaine, et alors ?
    4. Valeur versus coût;
    5. Dialogues de sourds;
    6. Communication, capture et intégration verticale.
  9. How To Kill It On Social Media Marketing Using New gTLD;
  10. A Guide to Building the Perfect Website for Your Fitness Business;
  11. New gTLDs 'Nobody Cares About;
  12. More coming during the day.
Nameshield Corporate Registrar: Corporate domain name portfolio management
The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

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