TLDH Files First 20 gTLD Applications

The window for submitting gTLD applications to ICANN opened last night, and there’s already considerable action taking place. I just received a press release from publicly traded Top Level Domain Holdings, and the company has announced its intent to immediately file their first 20 applications to manage new TLDs.

According to the company’s news release, “Top Level Domain Holdings will shortly be purchasing its first batch of twenty application slots for new gTLDs on behalf of itself and clients of Minds + Machines. This first tranche will include slots for client applications for geographic-based gTLDs and generic words. The Company expects to submit multiple batches for application slots during the application window.”

In addition to this news, the company also announced that its subsidiary, Minds & Machines was just selected as the registry services provider for Dot Kiwi, a New Zealand company that has publically stated it will apply for the “.kiwi” gTLD.

The next few days and weeks promise to be filled with considerable news about gTLD applications, and it will be exciting to watch as our business evolves.

Press release is posted below:

The Directors of Top Level Domain Holdings Limited (AIM:TLDH.L), the only publicly traded company focused exclusively on acquiring and operating new generic top-level domains (“gTLDs“), are delighted to announce that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (“ICANN”) has today formally opened the application window under which organisations can apply for the right to own and operate a new generic top level domain. The application window will remain open until 12 April 2012.   Under ICANN’s rules, applicants for new gTLDs must first purchase an application slot, or placeholder, for each application for US$5,000 each, which will then be deducted from the US$185,000 gTLD application fee.

To that end, the Directors are pleased to report that Top Level Domain Holdings will shortly be purchasing its first batch of twenty application slots for new gTLDs on behalf of itself and clients of Minds + Machines.   This first tranche will include slots for client applications for geographic-based gTLDs and generic words. The Company expects to submit multiple batches for application slots during the application window.

Separately, the Directors are pleased to report that Minds + Machines has today been appointed as the registry services provider for DOT KIWI LIMITED, a New Zealand company that has publically stated it will apply for the “.kiwi” gTLD string.  A proportion of DOT KIWI’s domain revenue and profit will be donated to a trust established to help fund the reconstruction of the earthquake devastated city of Christchurch, New Zealand.   Dot Kiwi joins other geographical, brand, and entrepreneurial clients from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America that have chosen Minds + Machines, but who wish to keep their plans confidential.

Peter Dengate Thrush, Chairman of TLDH, commented:

“This is a historic day in the Internet’s evolution. It marks a new beginning for the domain name system, after a six-year process in which ICANN has successfully gained global consensus for the new gTLD programme through its   multi-stakeholder model. We applaud the ICANN Board for having the strength to see this initiative across the line. We now look forward to playing our part in creating a vibrant new wave of innovation, consumer choice and wealth creation on the Internet as a result of the gTLD programme.”