Google uses .LINK domain names

As a long time user of G Suite (the Google platform to operate a company), I follow up with their group entitled "G Suite Visible Changes for customers only". I receive updates about coming upgrades of the Suite. A moderator from the group publishes a URL to point to a Google Doc.

It is the first time that I notice the use of a ".link" domain name and I checked who the moderator is and it is a Google employee so I guess that must be part of a rule to publish information.

Why use a ".link" domain name?
Well, the example says it all and demonstrates exactly why new domain names from the ICANN new gTLD program are useful:

• they are descriptive of an action, a subject or a content;
• they mean something.

A link is "a link" and that's precisely what the capture shows below: to go to an information, you should follow this link (please click to enlarge).

Am sure Frank is going to be happy with this :-)

Uniregistry Price Hike Up to 30 Times: can ICANN save the registrants?

The price hike by Uniregistry is a right move executed in a wrong way. With this decision:

• Uniregistry Wins 
• ICANN Loses 
• Old Registrants Lose with no choice 
• New Registrants Lose with a choice 

The steep price increase is likely to make Uniregistry new gtlds more profitable. However, they do not seem to care for their existing registrants which includes me. Businesses use domain for online presence. This domain become a part of their online existence and they cannot afford to lose it. This is where Uniregistry is trying to make money. A bigger problems lies with what would be the future price hikes.

A big problem for existing registrants is illustrated below.

.Hosting tld current and assumed registrations with proposed 15 times price increase:

In the above table you would notice that Uniregistry is making exceptionally good sales even if their number of registration fall by 75% with every price raise.

What about the poor registrants, who developed and promoted their website by using the .hosting and similar new gtld from Uniregistry. Unfortunately, many of the registrants will be forced to abandon their domain as paying that kind of price will be out of question. The money and the efforts that this registrants have spend to brand their domains is all lost. Does Uniregistry care for this?

For a new registrant, they have a choice whether to pay or not for the high price tlds. However, for the existing registrant their business is trapped in this domain and they have no choice but to pay whatever is asked for.

It is understandable for Uniregistry to increase prices as they need to make the tlds profitable, but definitely not by putting the existing customers under the hammer.

A similar price increase took with certain tlds from Donuts. They handled it really well. The price increase was only for the new customers. Old customers remain unaffected. This showed that Donuts registry cared for the business profitability as well as their customers.

Being a fan of new gtld I will stick to new gtld domains, however, I will stay away from registries that charge their existing users exorbitantly and assume that prior notice would be sufficient.

ICANN, as domain registrant we believe that you are their to protect our interest. Kindly intervene this.

Understanding .SHOP / .SHOPPING contention set

Diagram extracted from the ICANN website for a better understanding of the .SHOP / .SHOPPING contention set (click to enlarge).

The current status of string contention sets could change due to changes to application status as a result of withdrawals, evaluation results, dispute resolution proceedings, contention resolution processes, or the potential impact of ICANN accountability mechanisms. Except for the application statuses "Withdrawn" and "Delegated", application statuses are not final.

The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

The new gTLD info for Tuesday

Next ICANN new gTLD auction
SHOP / SHOPPING : 27 January 2016
https://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/stringcontentionstatus

"Don't drink and Drive"
If you don’t like the wine and automotive domain names launching this week, you can leave .feedback.
http://domainnamewire.com/2016/01/19/this-weeks-new-tlds-dont-drink-and-drive/

HOT: Does .tickets have the ultimate anti-cybersquatting system?
.tickets gTLD registry Accent Media has launched an anti-cybersquatting measure that lets the world know who is trying to register what domain name a whole month before the domain is allowed to go live.
http://domainincite.com/19800-does-tickets-have-the-ultimate-anti-cybersquatting-system

ICANN Plans to Track gTLD Marketplace Health

How are top level domain names doing? We might soon have a way to track them.
http://domainnamewire.com/2016/01/19/icann-plans-to-track-gtld-marketplace-health/

NamesCon auction was a coming out party for new TLDs
Here are the new domain names that sold in the auction. Most .CLUB domains found a buyer.
http://domainnamewire.com/2016/01/19/namescon-auction-was-a-coming-out-party-for-new-tlds/

Domain experts on the slow start for new gTLDS, and what may turn the tide
Google likely to be a major player in another way, specifically through the search engine treatment of new domains?
http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?g=1c2d3016-3b1b-4f2f-8cfc-45069567145b

Fragonard.love is suspended
After reviewing the parties’ submissions, the Examiner determines that the Complainant has demonstrated all three elements of the URS by a standard of clear and convincing evidence; the Examiner hereby Orders the domain name «fragonard.love» be SUSPENDED for the duration of the registration.
http://www.adrforum.com/domaindecisions/1654755D.htm

Uniregistry beats Donuts to .shopping, but .shop still in play
Uniregistry has emerged as the successful registry-to-be of .shopping from the convoluted .shop/.shopping new gTLD contention set.
http://domainincite.com/19798-uniregistry-beats-donuts-to-shopping-but-shop-still-in-play

Donuts Launches .WINE and .VIN
Wineries, vintners, retailers, and wine aficionados have two new homes on the Internet as Donuts Inc., the largest registry for new "not-com" domain names (known in the industry as generic top-level domains, or gTLDs), today announced that the .WINE and .VIN gTLDs will be available for general registration on January 20.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/donuts-launches-wine--and-vin-internet-domains-300205941.html

New TLD .Feedback Arrived Today

...with Unique Features Designed by a Familiar Industry Face
nother new gTLD entered General Availability today but the man behind the .feedback extension is a familiar face who was well-known in the industry long before ICANN's current new gTLD program was even conceived.
http://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2016/dailyposts/20160118.htm

.CORSICA domains are open to all
https://www.namebay.com/en/domainnames/

The Nameshield Group: Registry, Corporate and Retail Registrar

Most recent Trademark Clearinghouse Sunrise Period announcements

Who Are the Major New gTLD Applicants? Part 2 : Uniregistry

"Simple you said"? This is the approach FFM and Uniregistry have in common. A potential Registrant must go to his Registrar, follow a Sunrise Period process if he needs it, and with a few clicks, buy it at the right price. Then, the job is done! The new and mandatory Trademark Clearinghouse registration process is a good (and very expensive) idea but it adds many steps to registering a domain name: if the number of Sunrise registrations is so low...there is a reason for this. One recent news: Uniregistry will be launching its own Registrar soon. Surprisingly, Uniregistrar.com is registered to… Uniregistry.

Read the article on CircleId.

Uniregistry

Interview of Frank Shilling (Uniregistry.com)

Check for more the list of applications on Uniregistry.com. Want to work abroad, check here then?

A second applicant for .LOL

Revealed today in DomainIncite, a major player explains he's submitted multiple applications. One of them is .LOL and he will be competing with Google to acquire it.

"Uniregistry" will reveal the complete list of Top-Level Domains it is applying for in June the 13th. A team of 30 experts will be supporting this registry.