Weekly Launch Guide March 30, 2020

SPOTLIGHT

Coronavirus Online Threats Going Viral, Part 1: Domain Names

As news of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to emerge, CSC has undertaken the first in a series of studies looking at how the development of the crisis has affected online content. This first article looks at the numbers of registered domains with names containing coronavirus-related strings—“coronavirus” or “covid(-)19” (optional hyphen)—and analyzes the types of content present on the associated websites. Read More

General Availability for .Gay Delayed

Top Level Design, the registry for .gay, announced delays in their launch of their new gTLD. The first Sunrise phase – intended for applicants with valid Trademark Clearinghouse filings – still concludes on March 31, 2020. The Limited Registration Phase (“Sunrise B”) will also begin, as planned, on April 6, 2020, for all other trademark holders. Original launch plans saw Sunrise B ending May 6, 2020. Sunrise B will now proceed indefinitely until a new General Availability date is determined. Initial hopes are to proceed into General Availability by mid-September. The first 7 days of General Availability will still comprise the Early Access Phase, and associated pricing will apply. CSC will communicate new dates as soon as the registry announces an updated plan. For more information, or to express interest in this launch, please contact your Client Service Partner.

Digital Asset Security: Back to Basics

Everyone is aware of the current worldwide cyber attacks and data breaches hitting major brands from every direction, but not everyone knows how to defend their brand against them. It may seem hopeless and at times, impossible, but it’s not. Our new guide, Digital Asset Security: Back to Basics, covers all of this and more. Download the guide now. >> 

New gTLD .dealer Announces Launch Plans

Intercap Registry Inc. announced plans to launch the new gTLD, .dealer. The launch will begin with a Sunrise phase for trademark holders on April 29, 2020. This phase will be first come, first served. Domains will be allocated at the conclusion of the phase on June 1, 2020. With the uncertainty surrounding the global pandemic of COVID-19, the registry has postponed this launch for a more stable time. The registry originally intended to begin the launch on March 25, 2020. CSC is communicating with the registry to understand any postponement and its impacts. New details will be announced when, and if, this information becomes available. If you are interested in this launch, please contact your Client Service Partner.

Top-Level .ar Domain Launch Delayed

The registry for .ar domains, NIC.AR, announced the postponement of General Availability for the launch of top-level .ar. The registry experienced technical issues processing payments for the recently concluded Limited Registration phase’s applications. The Limited Registration phase remains closed. The phase ended January 27, 2020. No dates of when General Availability would resume were announced, but the registry believes the postponement may last over a month. CSC is working closely with our partners in the region for the latest updates. CSC will communicate these updates as new information becomes available. If you have any questions, please contact your Client Service Partner.

Compare and Select Your New Domains

Neustar registry announced plans to launch two previously closed gTLDs, .compare and .select. Both TLDs will include a Sunrise phase for trademark holders beginning April 6, 2020. The TLD will then release for General Availability on May 6, 2020. CSC is still collecting launch details and requirements. Additional information will be communicated as it becomes available. Please contact your Client Service Partner if you are interested in either launch.

Still Launching

The following TLDs have launch phases (Pre-General Availability) that are currently still in progress. If you are interested in participating in any of these launches, please contact your Client Service Partner.

.gay

.basketball

.mt

.bot

.rugby

.pa

.new

Launches within 30 days (bold indicates where dates fall within time frame

The information provided is intended for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice.