New gTLD Update – .NEW, .BOND, .MADRID and more
Launch of .NEW
Registry operator, Google, have announced the launch of their new gTLD .NEW as follows:
This new gTLD is semi-restricted as navigation to a .NEW domain must bring a user “directly into the action generation or online creation flow” and allow the user to create something without any further navigation. Examples of this can be seen at docs.new and slides.new, which open new Google documents. The aim of this new gTLD is to provide a hub for new content, ideas and offerings on the internet. This content must be set up on the domain name within 100 days from the date of registration (and the domain cannot be used for other purposes in the meantime). Google will undertake compliance checks to ensure that domain registrations meet this criteria, and non-compliant domains may be placed on server-hold or deleted.
Brand owners are entitled to register their .NEW domains defensively, and the use requirement is waived, however the domain cannot point to live content unless that content is related to action generation (if the defensive registration is not used for live content then the HTTPS serving mentioned below is not required either). This requirement is only waived in respect of the original brand owner, and ceases to apply if the domain is transferred to a new owner. It is also possible to point the .NEW domain name to a login page, as long as the next page following login is for action generation.
.NEW is a more secure namespace, meaning that registrants must obtain an SSL certificate and configure HTTPS serving so that browsers can load .new websites. Your client manager can assist with both the ordering of .new domains names and associated SSL certificates. More information on SSL certificate support is available through our partner, SSL Store’s website whilst the full registration policy for .new is available here.
Launch of .BOND
The Registry Operator for .BOND, ShortDot, have announced the launch schedule for this new gTLD as follows:
.MADRID – Sunrise launch phase is extended
Registry operator of the new gTLD .MADRID, Comunidad de Madrid, have extended the Sunrise phase to 10 December 2019. The phase was due to end on 3 October but has been extended to “obtain a greater projection of dominance of the Community of Madrid, and gain more time to give a greater diffusion”. The General Availability phase will now commence on 17 December 2019.
Identity Digital to reduce premium pricing for over 1 million domains
Registry operator Identity Digital has announced that on 5 November 2019 (17:00 UTC) it will reduce the premium pricing for over 1 million previously unsold domain names – around 250,000 premium domains will drop in price and more than 840,000 premium domains will move to standard pricing.
On 1 November 2019 (17:00 UTC), all impacted premium domains will be reserved at the registry in advance of re-pricing and will be unavailable for general sale until they are unreserved on 5 November 2019. Domains are currently available for pre-order, with the registry supporting drop-catching of domains on 5 November.