Latecomers may need to tag along with companies that have already registered for TLD application system.
As of yesterday 100 people or entities had registered with ICANN’s TLD application system. Each registered user can apply for up to 50 TLDs, which means technically 5,000 top level domains could be applied for with just the existing users.
That’s unlikely, as many of the registered users are probably targeting one or two TLDs.
The deadline to register for the application system is March 29, although applications aren’t due until April 12.
This brings up an interesting scenario where a company realizes it’s too late to register for the application system but still wants to get in. What can they do? Just find another registered user to apply through.
This could be a boon for consulting companies such as Minds + Machines which may have application slots available. If demand is high then the value of those slots goes up.
Granted, if an applicant is so late to the game that they’re scrambling at the beginning of April then they’re also going to need the help of a consultant anyway.
Jerry says
Well, you know what they say about a fool and his money!
For real? 100 people? I didn’t realize there were that many idiots out there!
I guess PT Barnum was right in that maybe a sucker really is born every minute.
Seems obvious to me that the gtlds will be a disastrous uber-failure.
URLmad.com says
It’s only $5,000 really, a drop in the ocean when it comes to domain names…
http://urlmad.com/blog/get-dot-anything-newgtlds-for-just-5-grand-save-180-thousand-dollars/