53 Donuts TLDs in Sunrise Phase

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- A Top Level Domain (http://www.dotanything.co/TopLevelDomains.aspx) (TLD) is the text to the right of the final dot in a domain name. For example, .com is the most popular TLD today. Each TLD is owned by a company known as a Registry Provider or simply a Registry. For example, Verisign, Inc. is the owner of the .com registry. A Regstry Provider operates a global network of servers so that when you type in a domain name into an Internet browser anywhere in the world, you are directed to the right website.

Today, there are just 22 generic TLDs to choose from when buying a domain name.  For example, you can buy domains in the .com, .net, or .info TLDs.  However, in 2012, ICANN (http://www.dotanything.co/ICANN.aspx) - the organization that oversees the Internet naming system - held an historic application round inviting companies from around the world to apply to create new TLDs.  The response was enthusiastic.  Over 1,930 applications for new TLDs were filed including applications for .shop (http://www.dotanything.co/tlddetail.aspx?tld=shop), .web (http://www.dotanything.co/tlddetail.aspx?tld=web), .site (http://www.dotanything.co/tlddetail.aspx?tld=site) and  more (http://www.dotanything.co/New-TLDs.aspx).

The process to create a new TLD is a lengthy one.  Each application for a new TLD must be carefully evaluated by ICANN.  After each application passes - or fails - the evaluation round, then, if there is more than one application for the same TLD, the applicants must negotiate with each other or bid for the right to operate the TLD in contention.  This accomplished, each TLD must sign a Registry Agreement with ICANN and also pass technical testing, also known as pre-delegation testing.

Once all of this is complete, the TLD still must go through a specific process to actually bring the TLD 'live'.  If the TLD operator plans on selling domain names within the new TLD to the public, the operator must follow specific steps before domains can go on sale to the general public.

Go Live Process for new TLDs

When a new TLD ‘goes live’, it actually does so in two phases:

1)  Sunrise
2)  General Availability

The first phase is called the ‘Sunrise’ phase. The ‘Sunrise’ phase consists of two parts: the ‘Trademark holders’ phase and the ‘Landrush’ phase. During the Trademark holders phase, only users who actually own a trademark for a given domain can purchase it. For example, Apple computers could purchase Apple.Shop during the Trademark holders phase. During the ‘Landrush’ phase, anyone could submit a request to buy a domain name. The ‘Landrush’ phase typically lasts 30 – 60 days and is a very profitable phase for the new TLD operator because during that 30 days, if more than one person submits a purchase request to buy a domain name, then the domain is typically sent to auction, with domains going for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Participation during the Sunrise phase is also more expensive, since domain purchasers are charged a premium in order to be able to buy a domain name during this period.  Typically, participation in the Sunrise phase costs from $200 - $500 USD.

After the Sunrise period is over, the TLD goes to ‘General Availability’. During that phase, domains are sold to the general public in the same way that .com domains are sold today. The ‘General Availability’ phase does not end.

Donuts, Inc., - through its subsidiary companies - applied for more TLDs than any other company.  Donuts, Inc. applied for 307 TLDs, including .shop, .web, .email, .guru and more.

Below is a list of all of the Donuts, Inc. TLDs that are currently in the Sunrise phase.

.VENTURES
.SINGLES
.BIKE
.HOLDINGS
.PLUMBING
.GURU
.CLOTHING
.CAMERA
.EQUIPMENT
.ESTATE
.GALLERY
.GRAPHICS
.LIGHTING
.PHOTOGRAPHY
.CONTRACTORS
.LAND
.TECHNOLOGY
.CONSTRUCTION
.DIRECTORY
.KITCHEN
.TODAY
.DIAMONDS
.ENTERPRISES
.TIPS
.VOYAGE
.SHOES
.CAREERS
.PHOTOS
.RECIPES
.LIMO
.DOMAINS
.CAB
.COMPANY
.COMPUTER
.CENTER
.SYSTEMS
.ACADEMY
.MANAGEMENT
.TRAINING
.SOLUTIONS
.SUPPORT
.BUILDERS
.EMAIL
.EDUCATION
.INSTITUTE
.REPAIR
.CAMP
.GLASS
.SOLAR
.COFFEE
.INTERNATIONAL
.HOUSE
.FLORIST

Visit http://DotAnything.co for more information about upcoming TLD launch dates.