Newsflash: Expiry of .XXX block and conversion to AdultBlock, Launch of .DAY, and more

Expiry of .XXX block and conversion to AdultBlock

Further to our previous Newsflashes, this is a reminder that the .XXX Sunrise B (blocks) purchased by many in 2011 will be expiring on 1 December 2021. The AdultBlock and AdultBlock+ services are replacing this and will allow brand owners to block terms under 4 new gTLDs instead: .ADULT, .PORN, .SEX and .XXX. Terms already registered in the Sunrise B program (a term ‘blocked’ during the launch of .XXX) or registered in the Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) are eligible for registration under this new blocking service, as are both registered trade marks (not in the TMCH) and unregistered trade marks, and famous names.

The AdultBlock service allows for the blocking of a single term whilst the AdultBlock+ service blocks variations of the term as well as Unicode variants (homoglyphs and IDNs). If a domain name containing the term is already registered then it will be blocked as soon as it becomes available for registration, and premium names can be blocked as well under both services. To continue blocking your term from registration in .XXX, and to also block it across .ADULT, .SEX and .PORN gTLDs, you will need to convert the existing block into an Adultblock or Adultblock+ by 1 December 2021.

Launch of .DAY

Registry operator Charleston Road Registry Inc. (Google) have announced the launch of their new gTLD .DAY as follows:

Com Laude fees and the ICANN USD 0.18 per domain year levy are additional and VAT will be added where applicable.

.DAY is a semi-restricted gTLD. It is a more secure domain, meaning that registrants must obtain an SSL certificate and configure HTTPS serving so that browsers can load .DAY websites. Your Domain Strategist can assist with both the ordering of .DAY domain names and associated SSL certificates. More information on SSL certificate support is available through our partner, SSL’s Store’s, website.

The use of privacy and proxy services is permitted, and a registry lock is available.

Expansion of DPML

Following Identity Digital’ acquisition of Afilias and their gTLDs, the coverage for the DPML and DPML+ blocking mechanisms is expanding. Now 276 zones will be included in the service, plus 35 sub-zones, and existing DPML and DPML+ services will have these extra TLDs added automatically (where available) to their coverage on 16 November 2021.  Identity Digital are increasing the fees for DPML and DPML+ services to take account of this wider coverage, and the new prices will come into effect on 10 January 2022. It will remain open to create and renew DPML services for up to ten years at the current pricing until the price rise in January, whilst still getting access to this new wider coverage.

For information on the gTLDs included in the services or to discuss the products further please contact your Domain Strategist.

Registry Lock for .BANK and .INSURANCE domains

Registry operator for .BANK and .INSURANCE, fTLD, is offering a Registry Lock service. This service provides an extra layer of protection for domain names against unauthorized changes at registry level. The cost to lock a domain at registry level is USD 42 per year and Com Laude fees and VAT will be added where applicable.

ShortBlock

Shortdot SA, the registry responsible for .ICU, .BOND, .CYOU, .CFD, and .SBS. have announced the launch of a blocking mechanism designed to block trademark terms across the 5 TLDs in their portfolio. The term to be blocked must be recorded at the Trademark Clearinghouse. There are different levels of service available, explained as follows:

To place an order, or for further information, please contact your Domain Strategist or contact us directly.