There has been a lot going on in the Domain Name world this week. We thought we would round up some big stories for you! Who knows how this might affect your next domain registration?

• • ICANN’s TLD Application System (TAS) to reopen 22nd May – The big story of the week is the news that ICANN have set 22nd May as the date for the reopening of TAS. There has been lots of controversy surrounding the New gTLD programme. ICANN has taken the time to fix the security glitch that caused the closure and make improvements to the system. Applicants affected by the glitch have now been informed. ICANN are offering a full refund to applicants for a new domain name extensions who withdraw before the list of applications is made public. On top of all of this, ICANN have said that any applicant seen to have gained an advantage through the glitch will have their application blocked!


• • ICANN Discloses total number of Applicants for New gTLDs – ICANN has finally revealed that they have accepted 2,091 applications to TAS. Each of these applicants has the option to apply for up to 49 TLDs. ICANN have received around $350 million in fees! This is great for the future of the domain name industry and could influence your next domain name purchase as we begin to see New gTLDs appearing!


• • ICM respond to Anti-competitive complaints – The .xxx registry, ICM, has responded to claims that they were trying to monopolise the adult domain name industry. An organisation with a vast adult domain portfolio in the .com TLD complained that ICANN and ICM had conspired to eliminate competition for adult domain names. However a court dismissed the claims and highlighted the fact that ICANN had, on numerous occasions, rejected the application for .xxx.


• • Tasting.com sells for $20k via NameJet.com – Tasting.com, a dictionary term domain name was sold for $20,000 this week. The domain name was in an auction where 216 bidders took their chances, with only 5 willing to keep going after the $10,000 barrier! Congratulations to the seller!


• • LeWeb transfers to a .co domain name – LeWeb, a technology event that gathers together some of the best minds in the technology industry. The event includes a Start-up competition where entrepreneurs can pitch their start-up to some of the best in the business. LeWeb have moved over to a .co domain name. .co domains have been going from strength to strength since their launch. Make sure you consider the TLD in your next domain registration!

As always Domainmonster.com will keep you up to speed with all the latest happenings in the domain name industry. Don’t forget you can perform a domain name search on our domain registration page.