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ARTICLE · 09 JULY 2024

gTLD: New Domain Names

Boult Wade Tennant LLP
Boult Wade Tennant LLP
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Boult Wade Tennant LLP

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ICANN's expansion of gTLDs has simplified domain registration but increased challenges for brand owners, including higher costs, potential consumer confusion, and the need for enhanced domain monitoring.

United KingdomIntellectual Property

All domain names, or web addresses, can be divided into two main parts. The second-level domain is the element chosen by the end user and can be any combination of characters, within limits. The top-level domain (TLD) is the suffix of the domain name and is determined by the organisation administering the domain. Typical examples of top-level domains are .com, .org and .net.

Historically, the number of TLDs available was limited to six generic top level domains (gTLDs) (.com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov and .mil) and the country code top level domains (ccTLDs) assigned to different countries or territories (such as .co.uk or .de). However, beginning in 2012, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) began allowing applications by third parties for the creation of new TLDs with much greater flexibility on the content of those TLDs.

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