.Org registry teams with Go Daddy for auction of short domains.
Public Interest Registry (PIR) will auction 42 one and two character .org domain names through Go Daddy, the companies announced today. [Update: it appears eNom is involved as well for a total of 94 domains to be auctioned.]
The release of these previously reserved domain names was made possible by a registry amendment and plan approved by ICANN earlier this year.
Unlike some other top level domains that have opened up one and two character domains for registration, PIR opted to auction domains off to the top bidders rather than make registrants submit a proposal for how they’d develop the domains.
Still, auction winners will have to meet certain requirements. PIR’s plan submitted to ICANN said that bidders will have to be “committed to building out the domain name with a sound marketing and branding strategy, including a strong focus on quality, creativity and the desire to launch the site in a timely manner.”
PIR’s proposal to ICANN stated that it would reinvest the proceeds from auctions into the .ORG brand through marketing and discount programs. However, the press release issued today says that PIR “will forward its share of the proceeds to programs that enhance open development and Internet security, particularly in areas of the world where technology is lagging.”
Names to be sold in the auction include I.ORG, S.ORG and TS.ORG. A full list is available here.
This auction is announcement is a big win for Go Daddy. The company historically hasn’t been selected to run many specialty and premium auctions.
Leave a Comment