Domain Name News – February 23, 2009

Worldwide Domain Name Growth Slows – VeriSign has released its quarterly Domain Name Industry Brief, which indicates that during 2008 the number of domain names worldwide grew by 24 million to a total of 177 million, an increase of 16%. The 2007 annual increase was 27%. Registrations from the ccTLDs totaled 71.1 million. The annual increase for 2008 was 22%, as compared to 33% in 2007. The largest domains are .com, .cn, .de, .net, and .org. During the past year, the .cn domain has moved from fourth to second place on the list.

ICANN Releases Revised Draft gTLD Applicant Guidebook – ICANN has released a second draft of an Applicant Guidebook detailing the process of applying for new gTLDs. Additionally, ICANN has published an analysis of comments received so far. As a consequence of overarching issues raised with respect to trademark protection, security and stability, malicious conduct, and demand and economic analysis, ICANN CEO Paul Twomey has stated that “it is unlikely that the application round will open before December 2009”. Comments on the revised draft Guidebook are being accepted until April 13.

Timeline

• Tue, Feb 3 – Mon, Mar 23: .tel domain registrations commence at a premium price
• Sun, Mar 1 – Fri, Mar 6: ICANN meetings in Mexico City, Mexico
• Fri, Mar 6: last day for nominations for the .ORG Advisory Council
• Sun, Mar 15: last day for comments on one- and two-charcter .biz names
• Tue, Mar 24: .tel domain registrations open to all
• Mon, Apr 13: last day for comments on revised gTLD Applicant Handbook
• Wed, Apr 15: last day for applications to the ICANN Nominating Committee
• Thu, Apr 30: last day for comments on ICANN FY2010 proposed budget framework
• Sun, Jun 21 – Fri, Jun 26: ICANN meetings in Sydney, Australia
• Sun, Oct 25 – Fri, Oct 30: ICANN meetings in Seoul, South Korea