USA.canon instead of USA.canon.com?
Electronics company Canon has announced plans to apply for the .canon top level domain name, when such domain names become available. In a press release, Canon states:
With the adoption of the new gTLD system, which enables the direct utilization of the Canon brand, Canon hopes to globally integrate open communication policies that are intuitive and easier to remember compared with existing domain names such as “canon.com.” Canon has made the official decision to begin necessary procedures to acquire “.canon” upon the introduction of the new system. Following approval for the new gTLD system, which is expected to take place after the latter half of 2011, Canon will make full use of the new domain name to increase the convenience and effectiveness of its online communications.
Most companies have not publicly announced plans to operate a brand top level domain name. However, some companies have shown an interest, if not to at least have the right to get their .brand. For example, Hewlett-Packard has complained about not being able to get .hp since it doesn’t meet the three character requirement.
What will be really interesting is when a company that has been fighting new TLDs on trademark cost grounds decides to throw its hat in the ring. With the EOI process nixed, we might not see this until the application period opens.
(Hat tip @newgtlds)
Can you say .DUD?
The only ones who will benefit from the new gTLD are registrars and attorneys. ALL others will lose.
Stick with .COM, my friends. It will always be the oceanfront domain of the internet.