Weekly Launch Guide September 9, 2019

SPOTLIGHT

The Newest TLD Arrives

Google Registry announced the launch of their latest gTLD, .new. Registration will follow the standard Google policy, which requires domains to have SSL certificates in order for domains to resolve.  Google added .new to the HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) preload list, which means that secure connections will be required for live sites.

In addition to the standard security requirement, .new domains must be used for “action generation or online creation flows” (Action Domain Requirement). For example, a domain such as domain.new must lead to a site for registering a new domain. Navigation or redirection must lead directly to this action step, unless user credentials are required for login first. The registry is allowing a 100 day grace period following registration to implement the Action Domain Requirement, as long as the domain does not resolve during this time.

The Sunrise phase for eligible trademark holders will begin October 15, 2019, and run through January 14, 2020. Domains will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sunrise applicants will be exempt from the Action Domains Requirement as long as the domain remains registered to the initial Sunrise registrant and the domain does not resolve.

A Limited Registration phase follows the Sunrise phase. The Limited Registration phase runs from January 14, 2020, through July 14, 2020. During this phase, interested applicants must submit their applications with a clearly described intended use case for the domain. Domain allocation during this phase will be at the registry’s discretion.

Domains will be available for general registration at the conclusion of the Limited Registration phase. CSC will continue to provide additional information on the details and requirements for registering a .new domain in each available phase. For more information, or to express interest, please contact your Client Service Partner. 

Australia Prepares For Top-Level Launch

The .au Domain Administration (auDA) announced plans to allow second-level registrations in the .au domain space. The launch was anticipated to occur in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2019 and last approximately 6 months. The Registry has announced a delay in the top-level .AU launch. The release is pushed to the first half of 2020. The Registry will carry out additional three-month public consultation as it is critically important that the changes are widely understood, backed by an education program and supported by robust business processes throughout industry.

The outcome of the consultation, together with a summary of technical and process improvements, will be considered by the Registry Board in late 2019 or early 2020. If you are interested in registering a top-level .au name during the Grandfather Phase, please ensure to review your existing 3rd level .au’s Registrant details. Which includes ABN/ACN/TM, to ensure the data located on the WHOIS is up to date. Holders of existing third-level .au domains (such as .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, id.au & .asn.au) receive priority status for the corresponding second-level domain, and will be assigned a category for a Grandfather Phase. Third-level domains registered on or before February 4, 2018, are assigned Priority Category 1. If registered after February 4, 2018, the domains fall into Priority Category 2. Category 1 is the first priority. If multiple parties hold Category 1 for the same domain name string, and wish to register the exact match in the second level .AU, they may negotiate an agreement as to which will be the Designated person to register the .AU domain.

The registry will provide a tool prior to the launch for registrants to view any domains in conflict. The tool aims to provide registrants with information on domains that have matches across all .au sub-extensions and the priority level for each. The tool will also show the application status for the top level domain, if submitted. If you are interested in registering a top-level .au domain name, please reach out to your Client Service Partner to place an Advanced Registration Request.

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.

.basketball

.mt

.bot

.rugby

.madrid

.pa

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.